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Two goals from Donyell Malen propelled Aston Villa closer to automatic qualification for the last 16 of the European competition in a match overshadowed of fan disturbances by visiting supporters.

The Netherlands forward is exemplifying Villa’s greater squad depth, but this tenth victory in 12 games was tainted by visiting fans ripping up stadium seating, hurling missiles at security and home team athletes, and fighting with police.

Beginning of the current season, no club has won more European games at their own stadium (13 from 15) than the Villa squad. Emery looks a good bet to win this competition for a fifth time.

Game Summary and Disturbance Particulars

The Swiss supporters had contributed to the initially positive mood before the opening strike. Their coordinated clapping, drumming, pogoing and chanting lent the early kick-off a sense of a continental occasion, yet what followed both first-half goals was unacceptable by any standards.

Under circumstances reminiscent of other disturbances involving their supporters in the recent past, the visiting hardcore fans responded to Malen’s headed goal in the first half by throwing plastic cups at the jubilant Villa players, with the scorer suffering a cut to the head.

The Swiss club had been penalized a substantial sum by European football's governing body and ordered to cover damages for destroying seats and toilet blocks in their European top-tier match in a previous season. They were also fined about €18,000 last season for the deployment of flares in their heated European visit.

Escalation of Trouble

But the trouble escalated after Malen doubled the lead moments before half-time. While the scorer smiled on doing a knee-slide in the vicinity of the travelling fans, they responded by tearing up seats to hurl alongside further projectiles and fluids at the growing numbers of police and stewards.

Clashes erupted with law enforcement while the visiting captain, the Young Boys captain, went over to appeal for calm from his team’s supporters. At least two trouble-makers were removed by police. Play experienced a five-minute holdup before the match resumed and the period concluded.

Away supporters confront police and stewards during a controversial opening period.

Match Display

Nonetheless, it was been a highly positive half in sporting terms for the hosts as they pursued a seventh straight victory at their ground. Malen, who had a prompt influence when coming on during the break in a previous match, was chosen to lead the attack, one of 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 brilliant long-range effort in the fourth minute, and two other players came close before the Dutchman nodded home the delivery from midfield. The home side were utterly controlling that multiple contributors were part of the move.

The move for the next score was somewhat more direct but no less pleasing to watch. Morgan Rogers delivered an excellent through pass for Malen to take in his stride through the channel after which he cut back inside a defender and smashed in his sixth goal of the campaign.

Aftermath and Conclusion

Maybe the scorer should not have celebrated in the away fans' area, but the supporter misconduct was as unforgivable as it was extreme.

A subdued mood over the next half hour as the away supporters, largely wearing dark attire, refrained from singing. Jadon Sancho had a attempt stopped, and a Villa player was correctly given offside before providing an assist for a simple finish.

When Villa rang the changes on the hour mark, offering four of their main players additional rest before the local clash, the away contingent resumed their noise. “We forgot that you were here,” was the home crowd's retort.

As the visitors eventually put the ball in the goal, a forward slotting home a cross, there was a protracted video review before the goal was disallowed for a positional infringement in the preceding action. The linesman on that side had shuffled up his line up the field and away from the away fans by the time the decision was given.

In stoppage time, however, Joël Monteiro did crack home a late reply, following a cross-field ball, and on this occasion VAR could not deny the visitors their brief jubilation.

After all the political backdrop to the last Europa League game here, Villa will travel to Switzerland in December anticipating a peaceful visit and the three points that should safeguard their passage into the next round of the tournament.