In a match that had everything from heated challenges to contentious calls, Aston Villa secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory against Feyenoord at the iconic De Kuip stadium on Thursday night. The English side, riding a wave of recent form, extended their winning streak in the UEFA Europa League, but not without some drama that left the home crowd fuming.
The game kicked off with Feyenoord pressing hard, their attacks lively and persistent. Indeed, the Dutch champions created several chances early on, with midfielder Julian Steijn testing Villa's defense repeatedly. However, it was Aston Villa who struck first in the 28th minute when John McGinn latched onto a loose ball and rifled it into the net, silencing the roaring supporters. McGinn, ever the opportunist, has now scored in back-to-back Europa League games, a testament to Villa's clinical edge under Unai Emery.
Feyenoord pushed back in the second half, but their momentum was disrupted by what many deemed controversial refereeing. A potential red card for Anel Ahmedhodzic's tackle on Ollie Watkins went unchecked, sparking outrage among the Feyenoord bench. Moreover, a disallowed goal for the hosts due to a tight offside call added to the frustration. Villa, sensing the shift, capitalized late when Emiliano Buendia sealed the win with a composed finish in the 78th minute, his first goal of the season sending the away fans into raptures.
Defensively solid, Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez made crucial saves, while Feyenoord's Justin Bijlow could do little to stem the tide. The result moves Aston Villa up to third in their Europa League group, with six points from two matches, while Feyenoord slip to fourth, their unbeaten home record in Europe dented. Emery's men showed resilience, absorbing pressure and striking decisively—qualities that have defined their resurgence this campaign.
Yet, the night's VAR interventions highlighted ongoing debates in European football about consistency. As both squads regroup for domestic duties, one wonders how these close calls might shape their paths forward in the competition.