Aston Villa labored to a hard-fought victory against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League, overcoming both a stubborn opponent and a tense atmosphere off the pitch.
Aston Villa labored to a hard-fought victory against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League, overcoming both a stubborn opponent and a tense atmosphere off the pitch.
First-half strikes from Ian Maatsen and Donyell Malen secured a 2-0 success for Unai Emery’s side on an evening overshadowed by heavy police presence and protests surrounding the fixture. Supporters of the Israeli club were barred from attending after Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group, acting on West Midlands Police advice, ruled that no away fans would be permitted inside Villa Park.
The visiting squad had arrived nearly five hours before kickoff under police direction, as demonstrations by both pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian groups took place outside the ground. More than 700 officers were deployed to maintain order, and six arrests were confirmed before the final whistle.
The game went ahead after weeks of uncertainty about whether Israeli teams should continue competing internationally due to the conflict in Gaza. The tense circumstances made for an unfamiliar atmosphere in what would normally be a routine European group-stage contest.
Despite the defeat, Maccabi Tel Aviv offered plenty of resistance and moments of real threat. Osher Davida saw a deflected effort flash narrowly past the post, while Dor Peretz twice tested Emi Martinez, first with a tame strike before halftime and later with a more dangerous shot after the restart.
Villa’s performance lacked fluency and confidence, coming days after their Premier League loss to Liverpool. Even with the lead, they often appeared disjointed, failing to control long stretches of play. Maatsen broke the deadlock on the stroke of halftime, squeezing the ball inside the near post from a difficult angle.
Emery’s side then sealed the points through a penalty converted by Malen. The award was controversial — replays showed Ezri Konsa had tripped over his own feet rather than being fouled — but the decision stood, much to the frustration of Maccabi manager Zarko Lazetic.
Lazetic later said the spot-kick “looked like nothing” and admitted the decision went against his team at a key moment. “We showed who we are,” he added, proud of his players’ effort in testing circumstances.
The victory coincided with the third anniversary of Emery’s first match in charge of Aston Villa — a 3-1 win against Manchester United in November 2022 that began his successful reign. Only Emi Martinez and Ezri Konsa started both that game and this one, highlighting the squad’s evolution since his arrival.
Even so, the team’s spine still relies heavily on players Emery inherited. Martinez produced crucial stops, Konsa played a central defensive role and also drew the decisive penalty, while familiar names such as John McGinn, Ollie Watkins, and Emiliano Buendia contributed from the bench.
Among the newer faces, Maatsen and Malen delivered the goals but otherwise struggled to impose themselves. The same applied to much of Villa’s attack, which lacked rhythm and creativity against well-organized opposition.
Emery admitted afterwards that his side “didn’t play brilliantly” but praised their focus and commitment. “The important thing was to get the three points,” he said. “We made mistakes and conceded more chances than planned, but we played with seriousness and passion.”
The win lifts Villa to sixth in the Europa League league phase standings after four games — a position of strength, but one that still leaves questions about their consistency and composure.
While Villa have enjoyed a strong run in Europe and domestically, this performance suggested their momentum may have faltered. Their reliance on seasoned figures like Martinez, McGinn, and Watkins continues, even as new arrivals settle into Emery’s demanding system.
The team’s five-game winning streak and victories over major rivals earlier in the season underline their potential, yet fragility remains a concern. On this challenging night, Villa did enough to win — but little to convince that their best form has truly returned.
