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

The Netherlands forward showcased the team's greater strength in depth, however this tenth victory in 12 games was tainted by visiting fans ripping up stadium seating, hurling objects at security and Villa players, and clashing with police.

Since the start of the current season, no club has secured more continental matches at their own stadium (13 from 15) than Unai Emery’s side. The Villa manager looks a good bet to win this competition for a record fifth occasion.

Match Summary and Disturbance Details

The Swiss fans had helped dictate the early vibrant atmosphere prior to the opening strike. 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 unacceptable by any standards.

In scenes similar to past incidents with their fans in the past two years, the Young Boys ultras reacted to Malen’s headed goal in the first half by launching plastic cups at the jubilant Villa players, with the scorer suffering a cut to the head.

The Swiss club had been penalized €28,250 by European football's governing body and ordered to cover damages for damaging seats and toilet blocks in their European top-tier visit just over two years ago. Additionally, they were fined about €18,000 last season for the deployment of flares in their volatile Champions League fixture.

Worsening of Unrest

However, the situation escalated following the second goal moments before half-time. While the scorer smiled on celebrating with a slide in the general direction of the away supporters, they responded by ripping out chairs to hurl in addition to further projectiles and liquid at the growing numbers of police and stewards.

Fighting broke out with police while Loris Benito, team leader, approached to plead for peace from his club's fans. At least two disruptors were escorted away by officers. Play experienced a lengthy delay until play could recommence and the period concluded.

Away supporters clash with authorities during a controversial first half.

Match Display

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

How he made the most of his chance, sharp and speedy for all of his hour in play. The opposition keeper had had to tip over his brilliant 25-yard shot in the fourth minute, and both teammates nearly scored before Malen headed in a cross from a teammate. The home side were utterly controlling that multiple contributors were part of the move.

The play for the second goal was slightly simpler but equally pleasing to watch. Morgan Rogers delivered an excellent assist for the striker to collect effortlessly through the channel before he turned past his marker and smashed in his sixth goal of the season.

Aftermath and Finish

Perhaps Malen should not have celebrated in the away fans' area, but the crowd violence 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. A visiting attacker had a shot saved, and Rogers was rightly flagged when he set Malen up for a simple finish.

When Villa rang the changes on the sixty-minute point, allowing four of their main players extra time ahead of the local clash, the visiting fans resumed their noise. A taunting chant came the home supporters’ riposte.

When Young Boys eventually put the ball in the goal, a forward slotting home a cross, there was a protracted video review before the goal was disallowed for a positional infringement in the preceding action. The assistant referee on the near touchline had shuffled up his line up the field and distanced from the away fans by the time the verdict was announced.

In stoppage time, however, a substitute scored a consolation goal, after a diagonal pass, and on this occasion VAR could not deny the visitors their moment of celebration.

After all the political backdrop to the previous European fixture here, Villa will head to Basel next month hoping for a peaceful visit and the three points that should safeguard their passage into the last 16 of the tournament.