Goals from Ian Maatsen and Donyell Malen earned Aston Villa a 2-0 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv, securing their third win in four Europa League outings.
After suffering a surprise 2-1 defeat to Go Ahead Eagles in their previous European fixture, Unai Emery’s side responded confidently at Villa Park.
Morgan Rogers and Malen both tested Maccabi goalkeeper Roi Mishpati early on, before Dor Peretz drew a fine close-range save from Emiliano Martinez at the other end.
Villa eventually broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time when Jadon Sancho combined neatly with Rogers to set up Maatsen, who drilled home off the underside of the crossbar.
Read Also: Red-hot Antony shines as Real Betis beat Lyon in Europe
Peretz and Malen traded chances early in the second half, but Villa doubled their advantage shortly before the hour mark to seal a comfortable home win.
Elad Madmon toppled home captain Ezri Konsa inside the penalty area, and Malen kept his composure to slot into the bottom-left corner from 12 yards out.
Villa had chances to further extend their lead in the latter stages as Mishpati parried Malen’s effort from a tight angle and pushed John McGinn’s right-wing delivery against Ollie Watkins and behind, but they ultimately did not need a third goal.
Data Debrief: Emery celebrates anniversary with victory
Villa’s victory lifts them to sixth in the 36-team Europa League standings, already five points clear of the cut-off for at least a play-off place.
Thursday’s game was played three years to the day after Emery’s first game in charge of Villa, and he has now won 13 of his 15 home European games (including qualifiers, one draw, one defeat) at the helm.
They have won all five such matches in 2025, with three victories in the Champions League last season and a 1-0 triumph over Bologna earlier this season.
They accumulated 1.98 expected goals (xG) to Maccabi’s 1.02, firing off 13 shots to the visitors’ six.
