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A brace by Donyell Malen propelled the home side closer to automatic qualification into the knockout stage of the Europa League against a backdrop of fan disturbances from visiting supporters.

Dutch forward is exemplifying the team's improved squad depth, however this tenth victory in 12 games was tainted by visiting fans destroying stadium seating, hurling missiles at stewards and Villa players, and fighting with officers.

Beginning of the current season, no club has secured more continental games at their own stadium (13 from 15) than Unai Emery’s side. Emery appears likely to claim the trophy for a fifth time.

Match Summary and Disturbance Particulars

The Swiss fans had helped dictate the early vibrant atmosphere before Malen’s first goal. Their orchestrated clapping, drumming, pogoing and chanting lent the afternoon start a feeling of a European night, although what followed each of the early scores was inexcusable by all measures.

In scenes similar to past incidents involving their supporters in the past two years, the Young Boys ultras responded to Malen’s headed goal in the 27th minute by throwing containers at the jubilant home team, with the scorer suffering a cut to the head.

The Swiss club had been penalized a substantial sum by European football's governing body and instructed to pay City compensation for destroying stadium facilities in their Champions League match just over two years ago. They were also fined about €18,000 the prior campaign for the use of pyrotechnics in their volatile Champions League fixture.

Worsening of Unrest

However, the situation got worse following the second goal moments before half-time. While the scorer grinned doing a knee-slide in the general direction of the away supporters, the fans reacted by ripping out seats to throw alongside further projectiles and liquid at the growing numbers of security personnel.

Clashes erupted with law enforcement while the visiting captain, team leader, went over to plead for peace from his club's fans. At least two disruptors were escorted away by police. There was a lengthy delay until play could recommence and the period concluded.

Young Boys fans confront police and stewards during a eventful opening period.

Match Display

Nonetheless, it was been a very satisfactory period on the field for Villa as they pursued a seventh straight home win. Malen, who made such an immediate impact when coming on during the break last weekend, was selected to lead the attack, among seven changes to the team sheet.

How he made the most of his chance, sharp and speedy for the duration in play. Marvin Keller had had to tip over his superb 25-yard shot in the early stages, and two teammates came close before Malen headed in a cross from a teammate. Villa were so dominant that multiple contributors were part of the move.

The play for the second goal was slightly simpler but no less aesthetically pleasing. Morgan Rogers delivered an excellent through pass for the striker to collect effortlessly through the channel before he cut back inside a defender and smashed in his sixth strike of the season.

Post-Incident and Finish

Perhaps Malen ought to have avoided celebrating in the away fans' area, but the supporter misconduct was utterly unjustifiable as it was severe.

A subdued mood over the next half hour as the away supporters, almost to a man wearing dark attire, refrained from singing. A visiting attacker had a attempt stopped, and a Villa player was rightly flagged before providing an assist for a tap-in.

When Villa rang the changes on the hour mark, allowing key individuals extra time before the derby with Wolves, the visiting fans sprang back into voice. “We forgot that you were here,” came the home supporters’ riposte.

As the visitors did first get the ball in the goal, Chris Bedia sidefooting in a cross, there was a protracted video review before the goal was disallowed for a positional infringement in the preceding action. The linesman on the near touchline had moved position towards halfway and away from the Young Boys supporters by the time the decision was given.

During added time, though, Joël Monteiro scored a late reply, after a diagonal pass, and this time video review upheld the visitors their moment of celebration.

Following the context to the last Europa League game here, the team will head to Basel next month anticipating a peaceful visit and the victory that ought to secure their passage into the next round of the competition.