ISTANBUL – Fenerbahce came up short at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium on Matchday 7 of the UEFA Europa League league phase, losing 1-0 to Aston Villa. Backed by more than 41,000 home fans, the Turkish side pressed hard but could not find a way through as Villa held on after Jadon Sancho’s first-half goal, a result that confirmed the visitors’ place in the round of 16 with one match still to play.
It was also a landmark night for Unai Emery, as the Villa boss marked his 100th match as a manager in European competition. In a loud, hostile setting, Villa stayed organised and kept their strong European run going, making it six wins from seven matches in this season’s campaign.
Sancho Breaks the Deadlock With a First-half Header
The only goal arrived in the 25th minute. Matty Cash swung in a cross from the right that took a slight touch on the way through and dropped invitingly for Jadon Sancho. The on-loan winger climbed well and powered a header beyond Ederson. It was Sancho’s first goal for Aston Villa since his loan move from Manchester United, and it took the noise out of the ground in an instant.
Villa looked sharp before the break and found spaces against Fenerbahce’s high press. With Emiliano Martínez out injured, Marco Bizot started in goal and had little to do early on, but he stayed alert and dealt well with what came his way.
Fenerbahce Turn Up the Pressure, but Villa Don’t Budge
Fenerbahce started the second half with far more urgency. They saw more of the ball and kept pushing Villa back, forcing the away side into long spells of defending. The hosts thought they had levelled when Kerem Aktürkoğlu scored from a rebound, but VAR checked the move and ruled it out for offside in the build-up involving En-Nesyri (some reports linked the phase to Duran).
The numbers showed how hard Fenerbahce pushed. They finished with 13 shots to Villa’s 12 and had around 63% possession, but too many efforts came from tough angles or distance. Bizot was the key figure, making eight saves to keep Villa in front and frustrate the home attackers.
Villa nearly made it 2-0 when Cash hit the post from range, and they also had another goal ruled out for offside. Fenerbahce threw bodies forward late on, but Villa stayed compact and saw the match out to take all three points.
What the Result Means
The win locks in a top-eight finish for Aston Villa in the Europa League league phase. That puts them straight into the round of 16 and keeps them out of the knockout play-off round. For Fenerbahce, the defeat hurts their hopes and leaves them with work to do in the standings.
Fenerbahce Team Statistics (Matchday 7 Context)
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 7 |
| Wins | (approx. 3) |
| Draws | (approx. 2) |
| Losses | 2 (incl. this) |
| Points | 11 |
| Goals Scored | (N/A full) |
| Goals Conceded | (N/A full) |
| Position (approx.) | 12th |
(Note: Pre-match figures are approximate based on reports; this defeat adds to their record.)
Aston Villa Team Statistics (Matchday 7 Context)
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 7 |
| Wins | 6 |
| Draws | 0 |
| Losses | 1 |
| Points | 18 |
| Goals Scored | 16+ (strong) |
| Goals Conceded | Low |
| Position | 2nd |
Villa’s Europa League form has stood out all season, and this result underlined how hard they are to break down when they go ahead.
Match Highlights
- 25′ – Goal: Jadon Sancho (header after a deflected Matty Cash cross)
- Villa created better chances in the first half
- Fenerbahce controlled the second half but could not score
- VAR call: Fenerbahce goal disallowed for offside in the build-up
- Marco Bizot: eight saves for a clean sheet
- Matty Cash: assist and a long-range effort off the post
The defeat ended Fenerbahce’s unbeaten home run in the competition this season, while Aston Villa continued their strong push for a deep run under Emery.
