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Two goals from 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 striker is exemplifying the team's greater strength in depth, but this tenth victory in 12 games was marred by visiting fans destroying stadium seating, hurling missiles at security and home team athletes, and clashing with officers.

Beginning of the current season, no team has won more European matches at their own stadium (thirteen out of fifteen) than Unai Emery’s side. Emery looks a good bet to claim the trophy for a fifth time.

Game Summary and Disturbance Particulars

The Swiss supporters had contributed to the initially positive atmosphere before Malen’s first goal. Their coordinated clapping, drumming, pogoing and chanting lent the afternoon start a sense of a European night, yet the events after each of the early scores was inexcusable by all measures.

Under circumstances reminiscent of other disturbances involving their supporters in the recent past, the Young Boys ultras reacted to Malen’s headed goal in the 27th minute by throwing containers at the jubilant home team, with the scorer getting a facial injury.

The Swiss club had been penalized a substantial sum by European football's governing body and ordered to pay City compensation for destroying seats and toilet blocks in their Champions League visit just over two years ago. Additionally, they were further penalized last season for the deployment of flares in their volatile European visit.

Escalation of Trouble

But the trouble got worse 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 away supporters, the fans reacted by tearing up seats to throw alongside more plastic cups and fluids at the growing numbers of security personnel.

Clashes erupted with law enforcement while Loris Benito, team leader, approached to appeal for calm from his club's fans. No fewer than two trouble-makers were escorted away by police. Play experienced a five-minute holdup until the match resumed and the half be completed.

Away supporters confront authorities during a eventful first half.

Match Performance

It had at least been a highly positive period on the field for Villa as they pursued a seventh straight home win. Malen, who had a prompt influence when substituted during the break last weekend, was chosen to lead the attack, one of multiple rotations to Emery’s starting lineup.

How he made the most of his chance, sharp and speedy for the duration in play. The opposition keeper had had to tip over his brilliant 25-yard shot in the fourth minute, and both other players came close prior to the Dutchman nodded home the delivery from a teammate. The home side were so dominant that eight players were involved in the buildup.

The move for the second goal was somewhat more direct but equally aesthetically pleasing. A teammate delivered an excellent assist for the striker to take in his stride through the channel after which he turned past his marker and smashed in his sixth strike of the campaign.

Post-Incident and Finish

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

A quieter atmosphere over the next half hour as the away supporters, almost to a man dressed in black, refrained from singing. A visiting attacker had a shot saved, and a Villa player was correctly given offside when he set Malen up for a simple finish.

But as Villa made substitutions on the hour mark, allowing key individuals extra time before the derby with Wolves, the away contingent sprang back into voice. “We forgot that you were here,” was the home crowd's retort.

When Young Boys eventually put the ball in the Villa net, a forward sidefooting in a delivery, there was a long VAR delay before the score was ruled out for a positional infringement in the buildup. The assistant referee on the near touchline had moved position up the field and distanced from the Young Boys supporters when the decision was given.

During added time, however, Joël Monteiro did crack home a consolation goal, 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, the team will travel to Switzerland in December anticipating a peaceful visit and the three points that ought to secure their progress to the next round of the competition.