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Two goals by Donyell Malen propelled Aston Villa closer to direct advancement for the last 16 of the Europa League against a backdrop of fan disturbances by visiting supporters.

Dutch striker showcased the team's greater squad depth, however this 10th win in twelve matches was marred by away supporters destroying seats, hurling objects at security and home team athletes, and clashing with police.

Beginning of the current season, no club has won more continental matches at home (thirteen out of fifteen) than Unai Emery’s side. Emery appears likely to win this competition for a fifth time.

Match Summary and Disturbance Details

Young Boys fans had contributed to the early vibrant atmosphere prior to the opening strike. Their coordinated clapping, drumming, pogoing and chanting lent the early kick-off a sense of a European night, yet what followed both first-half goals was unacceptable by all measures.

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

Young Boys had been fined €28,250 by European football's governing body and instructed to pay City compensation for destroying stadium facilities in their Champions League match in a previous season. They were also fined about €18,000 last season for the use of pyrotechnics in their heated Champions League fixture.

Worsening of Trouble

But the trouble escalated following Malen doubled the lead moments before half-time. While the scorer grinned celebrating with a slide in the general direction of the travelling fans, the fans reacted by tearing up seats to hurl in addition to more plastic cups and liquid at the increased presence of security personnel.

Clashes erupted with law enforcement while Loris Benito, the Young Boys captain, went over to appeal for calm from his team’s supporters. No fewer than two disruptors were escorted away by police. There was a lengthy delay until the match resumed and the half be completed.

Young Boys fans clash with authorities during a eventful opening period.

Match Display

It had at least been a highly positive half on the field for the hosts as they pursued a seventh straight home win. Malen, who made such an immediate impact when coming on as a half-time substitute last weekend, was selected to lead the attack, among multiple rotations to the team sheet.

How he made the most of his opportunity, incisive and pacy for the duration in play. Marvin Keller had been forced to save his brilliant 25-yard shot in the early stages, and two teammates came close before Malen headed in a cross from midfield. Villa were so dominant that multiple contributors were involved in the buildup.

The play for the second goal was slightly simpler but equally aesthetically pleasing. A teammate delivered an excellent through pass for the striker to take in his stride through the channel after which he cut back inside a defender and drilled home his sixth goal of the campaign.

Aftermath and Finish

Maybe Malen should not have celebrated in the away fans' area, but the crowd violence was utterly unjustifiable as it was extreme.

There was a quieter atmosphere in the subsequent period as the away supporters, almost to a man wearing dark attire, ceased their chants. Jadon Sancho had a attempt stopped, and Rogers was rightly flagged before providing an assist for a tap-in.

But as 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. “We forgot that you were here,” came the home supporters’ riposte.

As the visitors eventually put the ball in the goal, a forward slotting home a delivery, there was a protracted video review until the goal was disallowed for a positional infringement in the buildup. The linesman on the near touchline had moved position towards halfway and distanced from the Young Boys supporters when the decision was given.

In stoppage time, though, Joël Monteiro scored a late reply, following a diagonal pass, and this time video review upheld Young Boys their moment of celebration.

After all the political backdrop to the previous European fixture here, Villa will travel to Switzerland next month hoping for a peaceful visit and the three points that ought to secure their progress to the last 16 of the competition.