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Two goals by the Dutch striker propelled the home side closer to direct advancement for the last 16 of the Europa League against a backdrop of fan disturbances by Young Boys supporters.

Dutch forward is exemplifying the team's improved squad depth, however this 10th win in 12 games was tainted by away supporters destroying seats, throwing missiles at stewards and Villa players, and clashing with police.

Beginning of the current season, no team has won more European games at their own stadium (thirteen out of fifteen) than the Villa squad. Emery looks a good bet to win this competition for a fifth time.

Game Overview and Disturbance Particulars

Young Boys supporters had helped dictate the early vibrant mood before Malen’s first goal. Their coordinated chants, drumbeats, and synchronized movements had helped give the early kick-off a feeling of a European night, yet the events after each of the first-half goals was inexcusable by any standards.

Under circumstances similar to other disturbances involving their supporters in the past two years, the visiting hardcore fans reacted to the first goal in the 27th minute by throwing plastic cups at the celebrating home team, with the goalscorer suffering a facial injury.

Young Boys had been fined €28,250 by Uefa and ordered to cover damages for destroying seats and toilet blocks in their Champions League match in a previous season. They were also further penalized the prior campaign for the use of pyrotechnics in their heated European fixture.

Worsening of Unrest

However, the situation got worse after Malen doubled the lead three minutes before half-time. As the Dutch forward grinned celebrating with a slide in the general direction of the away supporters, the fans reacted by ripping out chairs to hurl alongside more plastic cups and fluids at the growing numbers of police and stewards.

Clashes erupted with police even as the visiting captain, team leader, went over to plead for peace from his club's fans. No fewer than two disruptors were escorted away by officers. Play experienced a five-minute holdup before play could recommence and the half be completed.

Young Boys fans confront authorities during a eventful opening period.

Match Performance

Nonetheless, it was been a very satisfactory period on the field for Villa as they pursued a seventh straight home win. Malen, who made such an immediate impact when coming on as a half-time substitute in a previous match, was chosen to play at centre-forward, among multiple rotations to the team sheet.

He capitalized fully of his chance, sharp and speedy for the duration on the pitch. The opposition keeper had had to tip over his brilliant 25-yard shot in the fourth minute, and two other players came close before the Dutchman nodded home a cross from midfield. The home side were so dominant that eight players were part of the move.

The play for the next score was somewhat more direct but no less aesthetically pleasing. Morgan Rogers delivered an excellent through pass for Malen to take in his stride down the inside-left channel after which he turned past a defender and smashed in his sixth strike of the season.

Aftermath and Finish

Maybe the scorer should not have celebrated in the visiting supporters’ direction, but the supporter misconduct was utterly unjustifiable as it was extreme.

There was a quieter atmosphere in the subsequent period as the away supporters, largely dressed in black, ceased their chants. Jadon Sancho had a shot saved, and a Villa player was rightly flagged when he set Malen up for a tap-in.

But as the hosts rang the changes on the hour mark, allowing key individuals additional rest before the derby with Wolves, the visiting fans 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, a forward slotting home a delivery, there was a protracted video review until the goal was disallowed for a positional infringement in the preceding action. The assistant referee on the near touchline had moved position up the field and away from the Young Boys supporters by the time the decision was given.

During added time, however, a substitute scored a late reply, following a diagonal pass, and on this occasion VAR could not deny the visitors their moment of celebration.

Following the political backdrop to the last Europa League game here, Villa will head to Basel next month hoping for a calm trip and the victory that ought to secure their passage into the next round of the tournament.