Donyell Malen left Villa Park with the prize for being Player of the Match but also an unwanted scar after his side’s Europa League stroll was pockmarked by violence.
There was a significant police presence around the streets of Aston ahead of the visit of BSC Young Boys, the Swiss team, that seemed out-of-kilter the expectations of a match that Unai Emery’s upwardly-mobile side were always going to win.
But it quickly became apparent why the West Midlands constabulary were out in numbers as the behaviour of around 1200 travelling fans became appalling after Malen scored the first of his two goals in the 27th minute.
The Netherlands International, who was starting in front of Ollie Watkins after a match-changing substitute appearance at Leeds, was pelted by objects – which seemed to be plastic drinks cups – as he celebrated in front of the Doug Ellis Stand with his team-mates.
Malen was visibly shaken, as was midfielder Amadou Onana, who implored Bulgarian referee Georgi Kabakov to come over and assess the situation as more missiles were flung. Such was the mess, a steward was required to clear up the debris.
It was hoped this was a momentary blip but Young Boys, a seemingly inoffensive outfit, have been sanctioned by UEFA with increased regularity. They have been fined five times since 2020, at a cost of £110,000, for five separate incidents, two of which came against the Manchester clubs.
Aston Villa star Donyell Malen was cut on the head by a projectile launched by the BSC Young Boys crowd
Fans were thrown out by police after fighting with the authorities and ripping out seats
Aston Villa’s security presence acted quickly to deal with the escalating tensions
When Malen scored again in the 41st minute, to illustrate the chasm between the sides, the uproar was even more furious. Villa’s players stayed away from the corner of the pitch but that did not stop more cups, more projectiles and the backs of four seats being hurled in fury.
Loris Benito, Young Boys’s captain, dashed over to make an impassioned plea for them to behave but that served only to create more discord, as several Swiss began fighting with police and a number of them, who had spilled onto the pitch, were forcefully ejected from the stadium.
It led to a five-minute delay, with order eventually restored by two rows of police, many in full riot gear, blocking the route to the pitch. What a shame that hooliganism had come to the fore, as so much of Villa’s play in the first 45 minutes deserved to take the headlines.
‘It is what it is,’ said Malen, when asked about the incident by TNT Sports. ‘It’s fine, it’s fine.’
Equally taciturn was Unai Emery, who simply said: ‘We need respect from both sides. It is not nice to get a moment like this. I think he is ok.’
A better explanation – and apology – came from Gerardo Seoane, head coach of Young Boys, who explained: ‘I think it’s normal when you score a goal that you want to be with your teammates. Maybe (our fans thought) it was a small provocation. This, I don’t know.
‘But I think this is part of football and our fans should not react so heavily. The referee asked our captain to go to our supporters. He was going there to calm it a bit. I think some supporters came down to talk and the police reacted like they would jump into the pitch – but was not the intention.
‘This is what I know. It’s a pity from everybody – from the provocations, from throwing the objects, from thinking that somebody would jump on the pitch. I think the result is not nice for anybody and, for sure, we apologise.
Young Boys’ ultras are known for their rowdiness and have caused chaos already this year
Police and stewards worked together to forcibly eject individuals who were misbehaving
Malen had the last laugh as he struck twice to put Aston Villa on 12 points after five games
‘We don’t feel good as the way our supporters are normal is not what we how we want to act when we are guests somewhere. I think nobody wins at the end – everybody loses this situation.’
To Seoane’s credit, he cajoled a response from Young Boys in the second period and they kept their energy high until the last, having one goal ruled about by VAR and scoring one that stood – a crashing volley from substitute Joel Monteiro – to cause Villa some anxiety.
Really, though, Villa should have put the game to bed much earlier and Emery, ever the perfectionist, was imploring the message of ruthlessness in his debrief. He knows his side should win this competition (they should really be playing in the Champions League) and they have found a groove.
Malen cut a dash through the middle, Morgan Rogers is the kind of player who looks better and better each time you see him and there was also a first 90 minutes of the campaign for Jadon Sancho, who spurned two fine opportunities and is finding every day is a school day with Emery.
‘We need a player like him, with his skills,’ said Emery. ‘He is getting fitter and he is getting more confidence. I thought he played a good match. But he knows he has to be demanding of himself to get better finishing. Hopefully he can help us progress.’
