Donyell Malen departed Villa Park with the honor of Player of the Match, though his evening was marred by a violent episode during what should have been a routine Europa League victory.

As the Swiss team BSC Young Boys arrived, an unusually high police presence was noted around Aston’s streets, a stark contrast to the anticipation of an easy win for Unai Emery’s in-form squad.

The reason for the heavy policing soon became clear. After Malen netted his first of two goals in the 27th minute, the behavior of approximately 1,200 visiting supporters took a shocking turn.

Malen, clearly disturbed, along with midfielder Amadou Onana, urged Bulgarian referee Georgi Kabakov to intervene as projectiles continued to rain down, necessitating a steward to tidy up the mess.

Though initially thought to be an isolated incident, Young Boys have increasingly faced UEFA’s scrutiny, having been fined five times since 2020, totaling £110,000, with two incidents involving Manchester clubs.

Aston Villa star Donyell Malen was cut on the head by a projectile launched by the BSC Young Boys crowd 

Fans were thrown out by police after fighting with the authorities and ripping out seats

Aston Villa’s security presence acted quickly to deal with the escalating tensions 

When Malen scored again in the 41st minute, to illustrate the chasm between the sides, the uproar was even more furious. Villa’s players stayed away from the corner of the pitch but that did not stop more cups, more projectiles and the backs of four seats being hurled in fury.

Loris Benito, Young Boys’s captain, dashed over to make an impassioned plea for them to behave but that served only to create more discord, as several Swiss began fighting with police and a number of them, who had spilled onto the pitch, were forcefully ejected from the stadium.

It led to a five-minute delay, with order eventually restored by two rows of police, many in full riot gear, blocking the route to the pitch. What a shame that hooliganism had come to the fore, as so much of Villa’s play in the first 45 minutes deserved to take the headlines.

‘It is what it is,’ said Malen, when asked about the incident by TNT Sports. ‘It’s fine, it’s fine.’

Equally taciturn was Unai Emery, who simply said: ‘We need respect from both sides. It is not nice to get a moment like this. I think he is ok.’

A better explanation – and apology – came from Gerardo Seoane, head coach of Young Boys, who explained: ‘I think it’s normal when you score a goal that you want to be with your teammates. Maybe (our fans thought) it was a small provocation. This, I don’t know.

‘But I think this is part of football and our fans should not react so heavily. The referee asked our captain to go to our supporters. He was going there to calm it a bit. I think some supporters came down to talk and the police reacted like they would jump into the pitch – but was not the intention.

‘This is what I know. It’s a pity from everybody – from the provocations, from throwing the objects, from thinking that somebody would jump on the pitch. I think the result is not nice for anybody and, for sure, we apologise.

Young Boys’ ultras are known for their rowdiness and have caused chaos already this year

Police and stewards worked together to forcibly eject individuals who were misbehaving

Malen had the last laugh as he struck twice to put Aston Villa on 12 points after five games 

‘We don’t feel good as the way our supporters are normal is not what we how we want to act when we are guests somewhere. I think nobody wins at the end – everybody loses this situation.’

To Seoane’s credit, he cajoled a response from Young Boys in the second period and they kept their energy high until the last, having one goal ruled about by VAR and scoring one that stood – a crashing volley from substitute Joel Monteiro – to cause Villa some anxiety.

Really, though, Villa should have put the game to bed much earlier and Emery, ever the perfectionist, was imploring the message of ruthlessness in his debrief. He knows his side should win this competition (they should really be playing in the Champions League) and they have found a groove.

Malen cut a dash through the middle, Morgan Rogers is the kind of player who looks better and better each time you see him and there was also a first 90 minutes of the campaign for Jadon Sancho, who spurned two fine opportunities and is finding every day is a school day with Emery.

‘We need a player like him, with his skills,’ said Emery. ‘He is getting fitter and he is getting more confidence. I thought he played a good match. But he knows he has to be demanding of himself to get better finishing. Hopefully he can help us progress.’