Two goals by the Dutch striker propelled the home side closer to direct qualification for the last 16 of the European competition in a match overshadowed of crowd violence from Young Boys supporters.
The Netherlands striker is exemplifying Villa’s improved strength in depth, however this 10th win in 12 games was tainted by visiting fans destroying seats, hurling missiles at stewards and home team athletes, and fighting with police.
Beginning of the current season, no team has won more continental games at their own stadium (13 from 15) than Unai Emery’s side. The Villa manager looks a good bet to claim the trophy for a record fifth occasion.
Young Boys supporters had helped dictate the early vibrant atmosphere before Malen’s first goal. Their orchestrated chants, drumbeats, and synchronized movements had helped give 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 with their fans in the past two years, the Young Boys ultras responded to Malen’s headed goal in the first half by launching plastic cups at the jubilant home team, with the scorer getting a cut to the head.
The Swiss club had been fined €28,250 by European football's governing body and instructed to pay City compensation for damaging seats and toilet blocks in their Champions League visit in a previous season. They were also fined about €18,000 last season for the use of pyrotechnics in their volatile European visit.
However, the situation escalated following the second goal moments before half-time. While the scorer smiled on doing a knee-slide in the general direction of the travelling fans, the fans reacted by ripping out seats to throw in addition to more plastic cups and liquid at the increased presence of security personnel.
Clashes erupted with law enforcement even as Loris Benito, the Young Boys captain, approached to appeal for calm from his club's fans. No fewer than two trouble-makers were escorted away by officers. Play experienced a lengthy delay until play could recommence and the half be completed.
Young Boys fans confront authorities during a controversial opening period.
Nonetheless, it was been a very satisfactory period on the field for the hosts as they pursued a seventh straight victory at their ground. The forward, who had a prompt influence when substituted as a half-time substitute last weekend, was chosen to play at centre-forward, among multiple rotations to Emery’s starting lineup.
How he made the most of his opportunity, sharp and speedy for all of his hour on the pitch. The opposition keeper had been forced to save his brilliant 25-yard shot in the fourth minute, and two other players came close prior to the Dutchman nodded home a cross from a teammate. Villa were so dominant that eight players were involved in the buildup.
The move for the next score was slightly simpler but no less aesthetically pleasing. A teammate played a superb through pass for Malen to collect effortlessly down the inside-left channel after which he cut back inside his marker and smashed in his sixth strike of the season.
Perhaps the scorer 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 over the next half hour as the Young Boys fans, largely wearing dark attire, ceased their chants. Jadon Sancho had a attempt stopped, and Rogers was rightly flagged before he set Malen up for a tap-in.
When the hosts made substitutions on the hour mark, allowing key individuals extra time before the derby with Wolves, the away contingent resumed their noise. A taunting chant was the home crowd's retort.
When Young Boys did first get the ball in the Villa net, a forward 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 distanced from the away fans by the time the verdict was announced.
In stoppage time, however, a substitute did crack home a consolation goal, following a diagonal pass, and on this occasion video review upheld the visitors their brief jubilation.
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 victory that ought to secure their passage into the last 16 of the competition.
Lena Hoffmann is a seasoned journalist with a passion for uncovering stories that matter, specializing in German current affairs and digital media trends.
