Villa back on track with hard-fought victory | OneFootball

Aston Villa claimed an important 2-0 Europa League win over Maccabi Tel Aviv on a night dominated as much by events off the pitch as those on it.

With no away supporters permitted due to safety concerns, the atmosphere around Villa Park was tense, as large-scale protests and heavy police presence surrounded the ground.

Once the football began, though, Unai Emery’s side managed to focus just enough to earn a hard-fought victory.

After a slow start, Villa’s breakthrough came in first-half stoppage time when Ian Maatsen finished smartly from a tight angle, his effort crashing in off the underside of the bar.

It was a moment of relief for the home fans after a disjointed opening period in which Maccabi’s Osher Davida and Dor Peretz had both come close to scoring.

Maccabi remained dangerous after the restart, Peretz once again denied by Emiliano Martínez, but Villa’s quality eventually told.

Donyell Malen doubled the lead from the penalty spot on the hour mark after Ezri Konsa was adjudged to have been fouled, securing the three points that keep Villa well placed in the Europa League standings.

While the performance lacked the fluency Emery demands, the result was all that mattered. The win lifts Villa into the top six of the league phase and provides a welcome response to their defeat at Liverpool.