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Two goals from the Dutch striker guided Aston Villa closer to direct qualification for the last 16 of the Europa League in a match overshadowed of crowd violence from visiting supporters.

Dutch striker showcased the team's improved squad depth, but this 10th win in twelve matches was tainted by visiting fans destroying seats, throwing objects at security and home team athletes, and fighting with police.

Since the start of the current season, no club has secured more European games at their own stadium (thirteen out of fifteen) than the Villa squad. The Villa manager looks a good bet to claim the trophy for a fifth time.

Match Summary and Incident Particulars

The Swiss supporters had helped dictate the initially positive mood prior to the opening strike. Their orchestrated clapping, drumming, pogoing and chanting lent the early kick-off a sense of a continental occasion, although the events after both first-half goals was unacceptable by any standards.

In scenes reminiscent of past incidents involving their supporters in the recent past, the visiting hardcore fans reacted to the first goal in the 27th minute by launching containers at the celebrating Villa players, with the scorer getting a cut to the head.

Young Boys had been penalized a substantial sum by Uefa and ordered to pay City compensation for damaging stadium facilities in their European top-tier visit just over two years ago. Additionally, they were fined about €18,000 the prior campaign for the deployment of flares in their heated Champions League fixture.

Worsening of Trouble

But the trouble escalated following Malen doubled the lead three minutes before half-time. While the scorer smiled on celebrating with a slide in the general direction of the travelling fans, the fans reacted by ripping out seats to throw alongside more plastic cups and liquid at the growing numbers of security personnel.

Clashes erupted with law enforcement while the visiting captain, the Young Boys captain, went over to appeal for calm from his club's fans. No fewer than two trouble-makers were escorted away by officers. Play experienced a five-minute holdup before play could recommence and the half be completed.

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

Match Display

Nonetheless, it was been a highly positive period in sporting terms for Villa as they chased a seventh straight home win. Malen, who made such an immediate impact when coming on as a half-time substitute last weekend, was chosen to play at centre-forward, one of multiple rotations to Emery’s starting lineup.

How he made the most of his chance, incisive and pacy for all of his hour in play. Marvin Keller had been forced to save his brilliant 25-yard shot in the early stages, and two other players came close prior to the Dutchman nodded home a cross from midfield. Villa were utterly controlling that multiple contributors were involved in the buildup.

The move for the next score was somewhat more direct but equally pleasing to watch. Morgan Rogers played a superb through pass for Malen to take in his stride through the channel before he cut back inside a defender and smashed in his sixth strike of the campaign.

Aftermath and Conclusion

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

There was a quieter atmosphere over the next half hour as the Young Boys fans, largely dressed in black, refrained from singing. A visiting attacker had a shot saved, and Rogers was rightly flagged when he set Malen up for a tap-in.

When the hosts rang the changes on the hour mark, allowing key individuals additional rest before the derby with Wolves, the away contingent resumed their noise. A taunting chant came the home supporters’ riposte.

As the visitors did first get the ball in the Villa net, Chris Bedia slotting home a cross, there was a long VAR delay before the score was ruled out for a positional infringement in the preceding action. The assistant referee on that side had moved position towards halfway and distanced from the Young Boys supporters by the time the verdict was announced.

In stoppage time, however, Joël Monteiro scored a consolation goal, after a diagonal pass, and this time video review upheld the visitors their brief jubilation.

After all the political backdrop to the previous European fixture here, the team will travel to Switzerland in December anticipating a peaceful visit and the victory that should safeguard their progress to the next round of the tournament.