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A brace by the Dutch striker propelled Aston Villa closer to direct advancement into the knockout stage of the Europa League against a backdrop of fan disturbances by Young Boys supporters.

The Netherlands striker showcased Villa’s greater squad depth, but this tenth victory in twelve matches was marred by away supporters ripping up seats, hurling objects at security and Villa players, and clashing with police.

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.

Game Overview and Disturbance Details

The Swiss fans had contributed to the initially positive mood before the opening strike. Their coordinated clapping, drumming, pogoing and chanting had helped give the early kick-off a sense of a European night, yet the events after both early scores was unacceptable by any standards.

Under circumstances reminiscent of other disturbances with their fans in the recent past, the Young Boys ultras responded to Malen’s headed goal in the 27th minute by launching containers at the celebrating home team, with the scorer getting a cut to the head.

The Swiss club had been fined a substantial sum by Uefa and ordered to cover damages for destroying seats and toilet blocks in their European top-tier match just over two years ago. They were also fined about €18,000 last season for the use of pyrotechnics in their heated Champions League visit.

Escalation of Trouble

However, the situation escalated after the second goal three minutes before half-time. As the Dutch forward smiled on celebrating with a slide in the general direction of the travelling fans, they responded by tearing up chairs to hurl alongside further projectiles and fluids at the growing numbers of security personnel.

Fighting broke out with police even as Loris Benito, the Young Boys captain, approached to appeal for calm from his club's fans. No fewer than two disruptors were removed by police. Play experienced a five-minute holdup before play could recommence and the period concluded.

Young Boys fans confront authorities during a eventful first half.

Match Display

It had at least been a very satisfactory half on the field for Villa as they chased a seventh straight home win. Malen, who made such an immediate impact when substituted during the break last weekend, was selected to play at centre-forward, among seven changes to Emery’s starting lineup.

How he made the most of his chance, incisive and pacy for all of his hour on the pitch. The opposition keeper had had to tip over his brilliant 25-yard shot in the fourth minute, and both teammates came close prior to Malen headed in a cross from a teammate. The home side were utterly controlling that multiple contributors were involved in the buildup.

The play for the second goal was somewhat more direct but equally aesthetically pleasing. Morgan Rogers delivered an excellent through pass for the striker to collect effortlessly through the channel before he cut back inside his marker and smashed in his sixth goal of the campaign.

Post-Incident and Finish

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

A quieter atmosphere in the subsequent period as the away supporters, almost to a man dressed in black, refrained from singing. A visiting attacker had a shot saved, and Rogers was rightly flagged before he set Malen up for a tap-in.

But as Villa made substitutions on the hour mark, allowing four of their main players additional rest before the derby with Wolves, the visiting fans sprang back into voice. “We forgot that you were here,” came the home supporters’ riposte.

When Young Boys did first get the ball in the goal, a forward 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 up the field and away from the away fans by the time the decision was given.

During added time, though, Joël Monteiro did crack home a late reply, following a diagonal pass, and on this occasion VAR could not deny Young Boys their moment of celebration.

After all the context to the last Europa League game here, Villa will travel to Switzerland in December hoping for a calm trip and the three points that should safeguard their progress to the last 16 of the tournament.