Villa Park has been a worry for Aston Villa this season. On Wednesday night it was a party. Unai Emery's side beat Fenerbahce 6-0 in the Champions League, collecting a first home win of the season, and their biggest European victory came with the Prince of Wales watching from the stands.
Manzambi's birthday opener, Jackson takes over
Johan Manzambi celebrated his 21st birthday in style. His shot took a deflection, wrong-footed Ederson in the Fenerbahce goal and dropped in after 12 minutes. Nicolas Jackson doubled the lead 19 minutes later with a low finish, and the home crowd, which has had little to cheer in recent weeks, started to believe.
Fenerbahce did create a couple of moments. Zion Suzuki had to save twice from Vedat Muriqi and tipped an Oguz Aydin strike on to the bar. But the visitors were far too loose at the back, and Villa punished them again before the break. Ross Barkley won the ball on the edge of the area, Jackson seized on the slack defending that followed, and he scored his second of the night. It was his fourth goal in three games.
Barkley and Abraham finish the job
Jackson was denied a hat-trick when Barkley took the penalty. With 22 minutes left, Manzambi was tripped by Ismail Yuksek and Barkley scored from the spot. Barkley then added a fifth when his shot from the edge of the box took a deflection and went in. Tammy Abraham, on from the bench, tapped in late for the sixth after good wide play and a cross from Alysson.
Former England manager Glenn Hoddle, speaking on TNT Sports, said he had expected a tough game between two evenly matched sides, and that Villa simply lifted their level and finished their chances. He also praised the way Jackson leads the line, saying he would score plenty of goals if he stays injury-free.
A first home win and a route to the knockouts
The win ends a run that had turned into a problem. Earlier this season Villa had not won at home, with the North Stand rebuild limiting capacity and a lot of discussion about whether the construction was affecting the team. The answer on Wednesday was a loud no, and the scoreline will have helped the atmosphere around the club.
It also puts Villa in a strong position in the league phase. They won away at Club Brugge in their opening European game, and a home win over Viking next week would put them on course to qualify. Emery's side will take real momentum into that game.
Match facts: Aston Villa 6-0 Fenerbahce, Champions League league phase, Villa Park. Villa scorers: Manzambi (12 minutes), Jackson (19 minutes after Manzambi's goal), Jackson (before half-time), Barkley (penalty, 22 minutes left), Barkley (deflected shot from the edge of the area), Abraham (late). Half-time: Aston Villa 3-0 Fenerbahce. Source: BBC Sport.
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