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Malen hit by missile as trouble erupts among away fans
The Guardian
|November 28, 2025
Donyell Malen has a cut to the head and two more goals to his name after leading Aston Villa to the verge of automatic qualification for the last 16 of the Europa League against a backdrop of more crowd violence from Young Boys supporters.
The Netherlands striker exemplifies Villa's strength in depth but this 10th win in 12 games was marred by visiting fans ripping up seats, throwing missiles at stewards and Villa players - one striking Malen and fighting with police.
Since the start of the 2023-24 season, no team has won more European games at home (13 from 15) than Unai Emery's side. The Villa manager looks a decent bet to win this competition for a fifth time.
It was in Berne last season that Young Boys fans reacted angrily to a Villa goalscorer when Jhon Durán netted, before being given offside, in his side's Champions League victory.
But their supporters have more history for this sort of trouble after being fined for incidents in Champions League games away to Manchester City and Celtic last season. They surely face more Uefa action after this latest episode.
Emery gave the trouble the least oxygen possible - "We need respect for both sides," the Villa head coach said. "It is not necessary to have what we had today" - but Gerardo Seoane, the Young Boys coach, was more forthcoming.
This story is from the November 28, 2025 edition of The Guardian.
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