Aston Villa 6 – 0 Fenerbahce
Aston Villa dismantled Fenerbahce with Nicolas Jackson and Ross Barkley scoring two each in a 6-0 Champions League win at Villa Park.
The impressive Johan Manzambi opened the scoring when his shot was deflected in off Fenerbahce captain Milan Skriniar to leave Ederson stranded and although Villa needed goalkeeper Zion Suzuki to save well from Vedat Muriqi it was all but over by the break.
Jackson’s two first-half goals, both arrowed to Ederson’s right, put Unai Emery’s side three up by half-time. Fenerbahce’s fans continued to chant away but there was no way back on what proved a comfortable night for Vila in front of the Prince of Wales.
Johan Manzambi celebrates the opening goal for Aston Villa against Fenerbahce
The Turkish squad is packed with familiar names. Nathan Ake started, Romelu Lukaku came on, while Mason Greenwood’s every touch was booed. But they had nobody with the exuberance of Manzambi or indeed the 18-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye out wide.
Manzambi won a penalty that Barkley tucked away expertly to make it four and another deflected shot brought the midfielder’s second and his team’s fifth. There was even time for Alysson to lay on the sixth for fellow substitute Tammy Abraham in the 90th minute.
It is two wins from two in the Champions League now, despite a less convincing start to the Premier League campaign for this new-look team. Villa’s fans hoisted up a tifo declaring this the next chapter in their European story. It is good reading for them so far.
Jackson impressing for Villa
The decision to sell Ollie Watkins this summer would have left some Villa supporters concerned about how much the England forward would be missed this season but Jackson’s start to life at Villa Park will have many feeling more encouraged.
Jackson scored twice in eight first-half minutes
The Senegal striker has scored in each of his last two Premier League appearances and now has three goals from two Champions League games too. The quality of his finishing has been a topic of debate throughout his career but he was utterly clinical in this game.
Jackson only turned 25 years old in June, whereas Watkins is 30. There are risks associated with Villa’s rebuild but, with the new man having worked with Emery before at Villarreal, this is one buy that looks likely to work out well for the West Midlands side.
The key moments from Villa Park
12 – GOAL! Manzambi’s shot deflected in to put Villa ahead
17 – SAVE! Suzuki rushed out to save bravely from Muriqi
31 – GOAL! Jackson was put through by Kamara and scored
34 – CROSSBAR! Oguz Aydin rattled the crossbar from range
39 – GOAL! Jackson smashed in his second of the evening
68 – GOAL! Barkley converted a penalty won by Manzambi
72 – GOAL! Barkley’s left-footed effort was deflected in
90 – GOAL! Alysson laid the sixth on a plate for Abraham
Aston Villa’s next fixtures…
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