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A brace from Donyell Malen guided the home side toward automatic qualification for the last 16 of the European competition against a backdrop of crowd violence by Young Boys supporters.

Dutch striker showcased Villa’s improved strength in depth, however this tenth victory in 12 games was tainted by visiting fans destroying seats, throwing objects at security and home team athletes, and clashing with police.

Beginning of the 2023-24 season, no club has secured more European matches at their own stadium (13 from 15) than Unai Emery’s side. Emery looks a good bet to win this competition for a record fifth occasion.

Game Summary and Incident Details

The Swiss fans had helped dictate the initially positive mood prior to Malen’s first goal. Their coordinated chants, drumbeats, and synchronized movements lent the early kick-off a feeling of a continental occasion, yet what followed each of the first-half goals was unacceptable by any standards.

In scenes reminiscent of past incidents involving their supporters in the past two years, the Young Boys ultras reacted to Malen’s headed goal in the first half by throwing containers at the celebrating home team, with the goalscorer getting a cut to the head.

Young Boys had been penalized €28,250 by European football's governing body and instructed to pay City compensation for damaging stadium facilities in their European top-tier visit in a previous season. They were also fined about €18,000 last season for the deployment of flares in their volatile European fixture.

Worsening of Trouble

However, the situation got worse after the second goal moments before half-time. While the scorer smiled on celebrating with a slide in the vicinity of the travelling fans, the fans reacted by tearing up seats to throw in addition to more plastic cups and fluids at the increased presence of security personnel.

Fighting broke out with law enforcement even as the visiting captain, team leader, went over to plead for peace from his club's fans. No fewer than two trouble-makers were escorted away by officers. There was a five-minute holdup until the match resumed and the period concluded.

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

Match Display

It had at least been a highly positive half in sporting terms for Villa as they pursued a seventh straight home win. Malen, who made such an immediate impact when coming on during the break last weekend, was chosen to play at centre-forward, one of seven changes to the team sheet.

How he made the most of his chance, sharp and speedy for all of his hour in play. The opposition keeper had had to tip over his superb 25-yard shot in the fourth minute, and two other players nearly scored before Malen headed in a cross from midfield. Villa were so dominant that multiple contributors were involved in the buildup.

The move for the next score was slightly simpler but equally pleasing to watch. Morgan Rogers played a superb through pass for the striker to take in his stride through the channel after which he turned past a defender 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 supporter misconduct was as unforgivable as it was severe.

A quieter atmosphere in the subsequent period as the away supporters, almost to a man wearing dark attire, ceased their chants. A visiting attacker had a shot saved, and a Villa player was correctly given offside before he set Malen up for a tap-in.

But as Villa rang the changes on the hour mark, allowing key individuals extra time ahead of the local clash, the away contingent resumed their noise. “We forgot that you were here,” was the home crowd's retort.

When Young Boys did first get the ball in the goal, Chris Bedia sidefooting in a cross, there was a protracted video review until the goal was disallowed for an offside in the buildup. The assistant referee on the near touchline had shuffled up his line towards halfway and distanced from the away fans by the time the verdict was announced.

During added time, though, a substitute scored a late reply, following a diagonal pass, and on this occasion video review upheld Young Boys their moment of celebration.

Following the context to the previous European fixture here, Villa will travel to Switzerland next month anticipating a calm trip and the victory that ought to secure their passage into the next round of the competition.