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A brace by the Dutch striker propelled the home side closer to automatic qualification for the last 16 of the Europa League in a match overshadowed of fan disturbances from Young Boys supporters.

Dutch forward is exemplifying Villa’s improved squad depth, but this 10th win in twelve matches was tainted by away supporters destroying seats, throwing missiles at security and home team athletes, and clashing with officers.

Beginning of the current season, no club has secured more European games at their own stadium (thirteen out of fifteen) than Unai Emery’s side. Emery looks a good bet to win this competition for a record fifth occasion.

Match Summary and Disturbance Details

The Swiss fans had contributed to the initially positive atmosphere prior to the opening strike. Their coordinated clapping, drumming, pogoing and chanting had helped give the early kick-off a sense of a continental occasion, yet the events after both first-half goals was unacceptable by all measures.

In scenes similar to other disturbances with their fans in the recent past, the visiting hardcore fans responded to the first goal in the 27th minute by throwing plastic cups at the jubilant home team, with the goalscorer getting a cut to the head.

Young Boys had been penalized a substantial sum by European football's governing body and ordered to cover damages for damaging stadium facilities in their European top-tier match just over two years ago. Additionally, they were further penalized last season for the use of pyrotechnics in their volatile Champions League visit.

Escalation of Unrest

But the trouble got worse following the second goal three minutes before half-time. As the Dutch forward grinned celebrating with a slide in the vicinity of the away supporters, the fans reacted by tearing up chairs to throw in addition to more plastic cups and liquid at the increased presence of police and stewards.

Clashes erupted with police even as Loris Benito, team leader, went over to appeal for calm from his club's fans. At least two trouble-makers were removed by police. Play experienced a lengthy delay before the match resumed and the half be completed.

Young Boys fans clash with authorities during a eventful first half.

Match Performance

Nonetheless, it was been a very satisfactory half on the field for Villa as they pursued a seventh successive victory at their ground. Malen, who had a prompt influence when coming on as a half-time substitute last weekend, was selected to lead the attack, one of multiple rotations to the team sheet.

How he made the most of his opportunity, sharp and speedy for the duration in play. Marvin Keller had been forced to save his superb 25-yard shot in the early stages, and both other players came close prior to Malen headed in a cross from a teammate. Villa were so dominant that multiple contributors were part of the move.

The move for the next score was slightly simpler but equally aesthetically pleasing. A teammate delivered an excellent assist for the striker to take in his stride through the channel before he turned past his marker and drilled home his sixth strike of the campaign.

Aftermath and Conclusion

Maybe the scorer ought to have avoided celebrating in the visiting supporters’ direction, but the crowd violence was as unforgivable as it was extreme.

A quieter atmosphere 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 correctly given offside before providing an assist for a tap-in.

When Villa made substitutions on the hour mark, allowing four of their main players extra time before the derby with Wolves, the visiting fans resumed their noise. A taunting chant was the home crowd's retort.

As the visitors did first get the ball in the goal, Chris Bedia sidefooting in a cross, there was a protracted video review before the goal was disallowed for a positional infringement in the preceding action. The assistant referee on that side had shuffled up his line up the field and distanced from the away fans by the time the decision was given.

In stoppage time, though, a substitute did crack home a late reply, after a cross-field ball, and on this occasion VAR could not deny Young Boys their brief jubilation.

After all the context to the last Europa League game at this venue, the team will travel to Switzerland in December hoping for a peaceful visit and the victory that should safeguard their passage into the next round of the tournament.