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A brace from Donyell Malen propelled Aston Villa closer to direct qualification for the last 16 of the European competition against a backdrop of fan disturbances from visiting supporters.

The Netherlands forward showcased the team's greater squad depth, however this 10th win in twelve matches was tainted by visiting fans destroying stadium seating, hurling missiles at stewards and Villa players, and fighting with police.

Since the start of the current season, no club has won more continental games at their own stadium (thirteen out of fifteen) than Unai Emery’s side. The Villa manager appears likely to claim the trophy for a fifth time.

Match Overview and Disturbance Particulars

Young Boys fans had helped dictate the early vibrant atmosphere prior to Malen’s first goal. Their coordinated clapping, drumming, pogoing and chanting lent the early kick-off a feeling of a European night, yet the events after each of the first-half goals was unacceptable by any standards.

In scenes similar to past incidents involving their supporters in the recent past, the visiting hardcore fans reacted to Malen’s headed goal in the first half by throwing containers at the jubilant Villa players, with the goalscorer getting a cut to the head.

Young Boys had been fined €28,250 by Uefa and ordered to pay City compensation for destroying stadium facilities in their Champions League visit just over two years ago. They were also further penalized last season for the use of pyrotechnics in their heated Champions League visit.

Escalation of Unrest

But the trouble escalated after Malen doubled the lead three minutes prior to the break. While the scorer smiled on celebrating with a slide in the vicinity of the travelling fans, the fans reacted by tearing up chairs to hurl in addition to further projectiles and liquid at the increased presence of security personnel.

Fighting broke out with police even as the visiting captain, the Young Boys captain, went over to appeal for calm from his team’s supporters. At least two disruptors were removed by officers. There was a five-minute holdup before play could recommence and the period concluded.

Young Boys fans clash with police and stewards during a controversial first half.

Match Performance

It had at least been a highly positive half on the field for the hosts as they pursued a seventh straight victory at their ground. Malen, who had a prompt influence when substituted during the break last weekend, was chosen to lead the attack, among seven changes to Emery’s starting lineup.

How he made the most of his opportunity, sharp and speedy for all of his hour on the pitch. Marvin Keller had been forced to save his superb 25-yard shot in the fourth minute, and both teammates nearly scored prior to the Dutchman nodded home the delivery from a teammate. Villa were so dominant that eight players were part of the move.

The move for the second goal was slightly simpler but no less pleasing to watch. Morgan Rogers delivered an excellent through pass for Malen to take in his stride down the inside-left channel after which he cut back inside a defender and drilled home his sixth strike of the campaign.

Post-Incident and Finish

Perhaps the scorer ought to have avoided celebrating in the away fans' area, but the crowd violence was as unforgivable as it was severe.

There was a quieter atmosphere in the subsequent period as the Young Boys fans, largely dressed in black, refrained from singing. A visiting attacker had a shot saved, and Rogers was rightly flagged when he set Malen up for a tap-in.

But as Villa rang the changes on the sixty-minute point, allowing key individuals extra time ahead of the local clash, the away contingent resumed their noise. “We forgot that you were here,” came the home supporters’ riposte.

As the visitors did first get the ball in the goal, Chris Bedia slotting home a delivery, there was a protracted video review before the goal was disallowed for a positional infringement in the buildup. The assistant referee on the near touchline had moved position up the field and away from the away fans when the verdict was announced.

During added time, though, a substitute did crack home a consolation goal, following a diagonal pass, and on this occasion VAR could not deny the visitors their brief jubilation.

After all the context to the last Europa League game here, the team will travel to Switzerland in December hoping for a calm trip and the victory that ought to secure their progress to the next round of the tournament.