🔗 Share this article

Two goals by Donyell Malen guided Aston Villa closer to direct advancement for the last 16 of the European competition in a match overshadowed of fan disturbances from Young Boys supporters.

Dutch striker showcased the team's greater strength in depth, however this tenth victory in 12 games was tainted by visiting fans ripping up seats, hurling objects at security and home team athletes, and fighting with police.

Since the start of the current season, no team has won more European matches at their own stadium (13 from 15) than Unai Emery’s side. The Villa manager appears likely to claim the trophy for a record fifth occasion.

Game Overview and Incident Particulars

The Swiss fans had contributed to the initially positive atmosphere before the opening strike. Their coordinated clapping, drumming, pogoing and chanting had helped give the early kick-off a feeling of a continental occasion, although what followed each of the early scores was unacceptable by all measures.

Under circumstances similar to other disturbances with their fans in the recent past, the visiting hardcore fans reacted to Malen’s headed goal in the first half by launching containers at the jubilant Villa players, with the scorer getting a cut to the head.

Young Boys had been fined a substantial sum by European football's governing body and ordered to pay City compensation for destroying stadium facilities in their Champions League match just over two years ago. They were also further penalized last season for the use of pyrotechnics in their volatile Champions League visit.

Worsening of Unrest

But the trouble escalated after the second goal moments before half-time. As the Dutch forward smiled on celebrating with a slide in the general direction of the travelling fans, they responded by tearing up chairs to hurl alongside more plastic cups and liquid at the growing numbers of police and stewards.

Clashes erupted with law enforcement while the visiting captain, team leader, approached to plead for peace from his club's fans. At least two trouble-makers were escorted away by police. There was a five-minute holdup before the match resumed and the half be completed.

Young Boys fans confront police and stewards during a eventful first half.

Match Performance

It had at least been a very satisfactory period on the field for the hosts as they chased a seventh successive victory at their ground. The forward, who had a prompt influence when substituted during the break in a previous match, was selected to play at centre-forward, one of multiple rotations to the team sheet.

How he made the most of his chance, incisive and pacy for the duration in play. Marvin Keller had been forced to save his superb 25-yard shot in the fourth minute, and two other players came close before the Dutchman nodded home the delivery from a teammate. The home side were so dominant that multiple contributors were involved in the buildup.

The move for the second goal was slightly simpler but no less aesthetically pleasing. A teammate delivered an excellent through pass for the striker to collect effortlessly through the channel after which he turned past his marker and smashed in his sixth strike of the campaign.

Post-Incident and Finish

Perhaps Malen should not have celebrated in the away fans' area, but the crowd violence was as unforgivable as it was severe.

There was a subdued mood over the next half hour as the Young Boys fans, almost to a man dressed in black, refrained from singing. A visiting attacker had a attempt stopped, and Rogers was rightly flagged when providing an assist for a simple finish.

When the hosts rang the changes on the sixty-minute point, allowing key individuals additional rest before the derby with Wolves, the visiting fans resumed their noise. “We forgot that you were here,” was the home crowd's retort.

When Young Boys eventually put the ball in the Villa net, a forward slotting home a cross, there was a long VAR delay until the score was ruled out for a positional infringement in the preceding action. The assistant referee on the near touchline had shuffled up his line towards halfway and distanced from the Young Boys supporters when the decision was given.

During added time, however, Joël Monteiro did crack home a consolation goal, following a cross-field ball, and this time VAR could not deny Young Boys their moment of celebration.

After all the political backdrop to the previous European fixture here, the team will head to Basel in December anticipating a calm trip and the victory that ought to secure their passage into the next round of the competition.