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A brace from Donyell Malen propelled Aston Villa closer to automatic advancement for the last 16 of the European competition against a backdrop of fan disturbances by Young Boys supporters.

The Netherlands forward is exemplifying the team's improved strength in depth, however this tenth victory in 12 games was marred by away supporters ripping up stadium seating, hurling missiles at stewards and home team athletes, and fighting with officers.

Since the start of the current season, no team has won more continental games at home (13 from 15) than Unai Emery’s side. The Villa manager looks a good bet to claim the trophy for a record fifth occasion.

Game Summary and Disturbance Particulars

The Swiss fans had contributed to the initially positive mood prior to the opening strike. Their coordinated clapping, drumming, pogoing and chanting had helped give the early kick-off a sense of a European night, yet what followed each of the first-half goals was inexcusable by all measures.

Under circumstances similar to other disturbances with their fans in the past two years, the visiting hardcore fans responded to the first goal in the 27th minute by launching plastic cups at the celebrating home team, with the goalscorer getting a cut to the head.

The Swiss club had been fined €28,250 by European football's governing body and instructed to cover damages for destroying stadium facilities in their Champions League match just over two years ago. They were also fined about €18,000 last season for the use of pyrotechnics in their heated European fixture.

Escalation of Unrest

However, the situation escalated following Malen doubled the lead three minutes before half-time. While the scorer smiled on doing a knee-slide in the vicinity of the away supporters, the fans reacted by ripping out seats to hurl alongside further projectiles and fluids at the increased presence of police and stewards.

Clashes erupted with police while the visiting captain, team leader, went over to appeal for calm from his club's fans. No fewer than two trouble-makers were removed by police. There was a lengthy delay until the match resumed and the period concluded.

Young Boys fans clash with authorities during a controversial first half.

On-Field Display

It had at least been a highly positive half in sporting terms for Villa as they chased a seventh successive victory at their ground. Malen, who made such an immediate impact when coming on as a half-time substitute in a previous match, was selected to play at centre-forward, among seven changes to the team sheet.

How he made the most of his opportunity, sharp and speedy for all of his hour on the pitch. Marvin Keller had had to tip over his brilliant long-range effort in the early stages, 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 part of the move.

The play for the next score was slightly simpler but no less pleasing to watch. A teammate delivered an excellent assist for the striker to take in his stride down the inside-left channel after which he turned past his marker and smashed in his sixth strike of the season.

Post-Incident and Finish

Perhaps the scorer should not have celebrated in the away fans' area, but the crowd violence was as unforgivable as it was severe.

There was a subdued mood over the next half hour as the away supporters, almost to a man dressed in black, ceased their chants. Jadon Sancho had a attempt stopped, and a Villa player was rightly flagged when he set Malen up for a simple finish.

When the hosts made substitutions on the sixty-minute point, allowing four of their main players additional rest before the local clash, the visiting fans sprang back into voice. A taunting chant came the home supporters’ riposte.

As the visitors eventually put the ball in the goal, Chris Bedia sidefooting in a cross, there was a protracted video review until the score was ruled out for a positional infringement in the preceding action. The linesman on the near touchline had moved position up the field and distanced from the Young Boys supporters by the time the decision was given.

In stoppage time, however, Joël Monteiro scored a late reply, following a diagonal pass, and on this occasion video review upheld Young Boys their brief jubilation.

Following the context to the previous European fixture at this venue, Villa will head to Basel in December hoping for a peaceful visit and the victory that should safeguard their passage into the next round of the tournament.