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A brace by the Dutch striker propelled Aston Villa closer to automatic qualification into the knockout stage of the Europa League against a backdrop of crowd violence from visiting supporters.

The Netherlands forward is exemplifying Villa’s greater squad depth, but this tenth victory in twelve matches was tainted by visiting fans ripping up seats, throwing missiles at security and Villa players, and clashing with officers.

Since the start of the current season, no team has secured more European games at their own stadium (13 from 15) than the Villa squad. The Villa manager appears likely to claim the trophy for a record fifth occasion.

Game Overview and Incident Particulars

The Swiss fans 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 continental occasion, although what followed both early scores was unacceptable by any standards.

Under circumstances reminiscent of past incidents involving their supporters in the recent past, the visiting hardcore fans responded to Malen’s headed goal in the 27th minute by throwing containers at the jubilant Villa players, with the goalscorer suffering a cut to the head.

Young Boys had been fined €28,250 by Uefa and ordered to pay City compensation for destroying stadium facilities in their European top-tier visit in a previous season. Additionally, they were fined about €18,000 last season for the deployment of flares in their volatile European visit.

Escalation of Trouble

But the trouble escalated following the second goal moments before half-time. While the scorer grinned doing a knee-slide in the vicinity of the travelling fans, the fans reacted by ripping out chairs to throw alongside more plastic cups and liquid at the increased presence of police and stewards.

Fighting broke out with police while the visiting captain, team leader, approached to plead for peace from his club's fans. No fewer than two trouble-makers were removed by police. There was a five-minute holdup until play could recommence and the period concluded.

Young Boys fans clash with authorities during a eventful opening period.

Match Display

Nonetheless, it was been a highly positive half in sporting terms for the hosts as they chased a seventh straight victory at their ground. Malen, who had a prompt influence when substituted during the break in a previous match, was chosen to play at centre-forward, among multiple rotations to the team sheet.

How he made the most of his opportunity, incisive and pacy for the duration in play. Marvin Keller had had to tip over his superb long-range effort in the fourth minute, and both teammates nearly scored before Malen headed in the delivery from midfield. The home side were utterly controlling that multiple contributors were part of the move.

The move for the second goal was slightly simpler but no less aesthetically pleasing. A teammate played a superb through pass for Malen to take in his stride through the channel after which he turned past his marker and drilled home his sixth goal of the campaign.

Post-Incident and Finish

Maybe the scorer should not have celebrated in the away fans' area, but the supporter misconduct was utterly unjustifiable as it was severe.

There was a quieter atmosphere in the subsequent period as the Young Boys fans, almost to a man dressed in black, ceased their chants. A visiting attacker had a shot saved, and a Villa player was correctly given offside before he set Malen up for a simple finish.

When the hosts made substitutions on the sixty-minute point, offering four of their main players additional rest before the local clash, the visiting fans resumed their noise. “We forgot that you were here,” was the home crowd's retort.

When Young Boys did first get the ball in the Villa net, Chris Bedia slotting home a delivery, there was a long VAR delay until the score was ruled out for an offside in the preceding action. The linesman on the near touchline had shuffled up his line up the field and distanced from the away fans when the decision was given.

During added time, though, a substitute scored a consolation goal, after a diagonal pass, and this time VAR could not deny the visitors their brief jubilation.

After all the context to the previous European fixture at this venue, Villa will head to Basel next month anticipating a peaceful visit and the three points that ought to secure their passage into the last 16 of the competition.