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A brace from the Dutch striker propelled Aston Villa closer to direct qualification into the knockout stage of the Europa League against a backdrop of fan disturbances from visiting supporters.

Dutch striker is exemplifying the team's greater strength in depth, but this tenth victory in 12 games was marred by away supporters destroying seats, hurling missiles at stewards and home team athletes, and clashing with police.

Since the start of the current season, no team has won more continental games at home (13 from 15) than the Villa squad. Emery looks a good bet to win this competition for a record fifth occasion.

Game Overview and Incident Particulars

The Swiss supporters had helped dictate the initially positive mood prior to Malen’s first goal. Their orchestrated clapping, drumming, pogoing and chanting lent the early kick-off a sense of a European night, although what followed each of the first-half goals was inexcusable by any standards.

In scenes similar to other disturbances involving their supporters in the past two years, the visiting hardcore fans responded to Malen’s headed goal in the first half by launching plastic cups at the celebrating home team, with the goalscorer getting a facial injury.

The Swiss club had been fined €28,250 by Uefa and instructed to pay City compensation for destroying stadium facilities in their European top-tier match just over two years ago. Additionally, they were further penalized last season for the deployment of flares in their volatile Champions League visit.

Worsening of Unrest

But the trouble escalated after Malen doubled the lead moments before half-time. As the Dutch forward smiled on celebrating with a slide in the vicinity of the travelling fans, they responded by tearing up chairs to throw in addition to further projectiles and liquid at the increased presence of police and stewards.

Fighting broke out with law enforcement even as Loris Benito, team leader, went over to appeal for calm from his club's fans. No fewer than two trouble-makers were escorted away by officers. There was a five-minute holdup until play could recommence and the half be completed.

Away supporters confront authorities during a controversial opening period.

Match Performance

It had at least been a highly positive period in sporting terms for the hosts as they pursued a seventh straight home win. The forward, who had a prompt influence when substituted as a half-time substitute in a previous match, was chosen to play at centre-forward, one of multiple rotations to Emery’s starting lineup.

He capitalized fully of his opportunity, incisive and pacy for all of his hour on the pitch. Marvin Keller had been forced to save his superb long-range effort in the fourth minute, and two other players nearly scored before Malen headed in a cross from a teammate. Villa were so dominant that eight players were part of the move.

The move for the next score was slightly simpler but equally pleasing to watch. A teammate played a superb through pass for the striker to collect effortlessly through the channel before he cut back inside his marker and smashed in his sixth strike of the campaign.

Post-Incident and Finish

Maybe Malen ought to have avoided celebrating in the visiting supporters’ direction, but the supporter misconduct was utterly unjustifiable as it was severe.

There was a subdued mood in the subsequent period as the away supporters, almost to a man wearing dark attire, refrained from singing. Jadon Sancho had a shot saved, and a Villa player was rightly flagged before providing an assist for a simple finish.

But as Villa made substitutions on the hour mark, offering four of their main players extra time before the derby with Wolves, the visiting fans sprang back into voice. A taunting chant was the home crowd's retort.

As the visitors eventually put the ball in the goal, Chris Bedia slotting home a delivery, there was a protracted video review until the score was ruled out for an offside in the preceding action. The assistant referee on the near touchline had moved position up the field and away from the Young Boys supporters by the time the decision was given.

During added time, though, Joël Monteiro scored a consolation goal, after a cross-field ball, and on this occasion VAR could not deny the visitors their moment of celebration.

Following the context to the previous European fixture at this venue, the team will head to Basel next month anticipating a calm trip and the three points that should safeguard their progress to the next round of the competition.