Aston Villa’s home Europa League match against BSC Young Boys was temporarily suspended following clashes between away fans and police at Villa Park.
An object was thrown at striker Donell Mallen, who scored Villa’s first goal, and Morgan Rodgers also appeared to be hit.
The unrest continued after Villa’s second goal and more objects were thrown at Malen.
Aston Villa players spoke to the referee after Malen was hit by an object thrown by Young Boys fans.
Young Boys captain Loris Benito approached supporters to calm the situation, but unrest grew as fans clashed with police at the scene, shaking their fists and throwing seats.
When the game resumed a few minutes after the second goal, some fans were ejected.
‘Unsavory scenes at Villa Park’
Donyell Malen was hit by an object after the first goal.
Rob Jones (Villa Park) on Sky Sports:
“The atmosphere was pretty good for the first 40 minutes of the game. The Young Boys fans had a good roar. There was a lot of energy, but once Aston Villa took the lead the mood in the stadium changed.
“Doniel Malen ran towards the Young Boys fans after scoring, but not in a hostile way. He wasn’t very close, but as he ran towards the ground a number of objects were thrown at him by visiting supporters, one of whom apparently hit Malen on the head.
“I ended the first half after scoring the second goal with a clear cut of blood on my head.
“He scored the second goal and ran towards the same side of the ground but he was nowhere near the Young Boys supporters. They tried their best to throw something but they were too far away.”
Malen was seen with a cut on his head after celebrating his first goal.
“After that incident, it became even more heated between the stewardesses and Young Boys fans in the ground. At first, it was just throwing plastic cups, but then there were two or three light blue seats that Young Boys supporters were throwing.”
“After that, the stewards came with the supporters who were on the front right side of the stands, and the game was delayed, with 2-3 supporters being sent off.
Police were hit with objects, and away fans also threw punches at police.
“What we saw was quite unpleasant.”
