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Two goals by the Dutch striker guided Aston Villa closer to automatic qualification into the knockout stage of the Europa League in a match overshadowed of crowd violence by visiting supporters.

The Netherlands striker is exemplifying the team's greater strength in depth, but this 10th win in twelve matches was marred by away supporters ripping up seats, throwing objects at security and home team athletes, and fighting with police.

Beginning of the current season, no team has won more European games at home (13 from 15) than the Villa squad. Emery looks a good bet to claim the trophy for a record fifth occasion.

Match Summary and Disturbance Details

The Swiss supporters had helped dictate the initially positive atmosphere before Malen’s first goal. Their coordinated chants, drumbeats, and synchronized movements had helped give the early kick-off a feeling of a European night, although what followed each of the early scores was inexcusable by all measures.

Under circumstances reminiscent of other disturbances with their fans in the recent past, the visiting hardcore fans reacted to the first goal in the 27th minute by launching plastic cups at the celebrating home team, with the scorer suffering a facial injury.

The Swiss club had been penalized €28,250 by Uefa and instructed to pay City compensation for destroying stadium facilities in their Champions League match in a previous season. Additionally, they were fined about €18,000 the prior campaign for the use of pyrotechnics in their volatile Champions League fixture.

Worsening of Trouble

However, the situation escalated after Malen doubled the lead moments prior to the break. As the Dutch forward grinned doing a knee-slide in the general direction of the away supporters, the fans reacted by ripping out chairs to hurl alongside further projectiles and liquid at the increased presence of security personnel.

Fighting broke out with law enforcement even as the visiting captain, team leader, approached to plead for peace from his team’s supporters. No fewer than two disruptors were escorted away by officers. Play experienced a lengthy delay before play could recommence and the half be completed.

Young Boys fans confront police and stewards during a controversial first half.

On-Field Display

It had at least been a highly positive half in sporting terms for Villa as they pursued a seventh straight victory at their ground. Malen, who had a prompt influence when coming on as a half-time substitute in a previous match, was chosen to play at centre-forward, one of multiple rotations to the team sheet.

He capitalized fully of his chance, incisive and pacy for the duration on the pitch. The opposition keeper had had to tip over his superb long-range effort in the early stages, and two teammates nearly scored prior to Malen headed in a cross from midfield. The home side were utterly controlling that eight players were involved in the buildup.

The play for the next score was slightly simpler but equally aesthetically pleasing. A teammate delivered an excellent assist for Malen to collect effortlessly through the channel after which he turned past his marker and drilled home his sixth goal of the season.

Aftermath and Finish

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

A quieter atmosphere over the next half hour as the Young Boys fans, almost to a man dressed in black, ceased their chants. A visiting attacker had a shot saved, and Rogers was correctly given offside when he set Malen up for a tap-in.

When the hosts made substitutions on the hour mark, offering four of their main players additional rest before the derby with Wolves, the visiting fans resumed their noise. “We forgot that you were here,” came the home supporters’ riposte.

As the visitors did first get the ball in the Villa net, Chris Bedia slotting home a cross, there was a protracted video review before the goal was disallowed for an offside 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.

In stoppage time, however, Joël Monteiro did crack home a late reply, after a cross-field ball, and on this occasion video review upheld the visitors their moment of celebration.

Following the political backdrop to the last Europa League game at this venue, Villa will travel to Switzerland next month anticipating a calm trip and the three points that ought to secure their passage into the last 16 of the competition.