Aston Villa recorded the biggest European win in their history on Wednesday, thrashing Fenerbahçe 6-0 at Villa Park in the UEFA Champions League league phase. Johan Manzambi scored on his 21st birthday, Nicolas Jackson struck twice before half-time, and Ross Barkley and substitute Tammy Abraham completed the rout as Unai Emery's side made it two wins from two in the competition.
It was also Villa's first home win of the season in any competition.
Match facts
- Result: Aston Villa 6-0 Fenerbahçe (half-time 3-0)
- Competition: UEFA Champions League, League Phase, Matchday 2
- Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham (attendance 34,705)
- Scorers: Aston Villa - Manzambi 12', Jackson 31', 39', Barkley 68' (pen), 72', Abraham 90'; Fenerbahçe - none
- Red cards: None
- Player of the match: Johan Manzambi (UEFA)
- Next: Fenerbahçe v Slavia Prague, Tuesday 20 October; Aston Villa v Viking, Wednesday 21 October
How the match unfolded
Villa started on the front foot, with Barkley heading over from an early corner. The breakthrough came in the 12th minute from another corner routine: Guendouzi headed captain John McGinn's cross only as far as Manzambi, whose shot deflected off Milan Škriniar and wrong-footed goalkeeper Ederson.
Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki then made two quick saves from Vedat Muriqi to protect the lead.
Villa doubled the lead in the 31st minute after the visitors lost the ball playing out from the back. Boubacar Kamara found Jackson on the edge of the area, and the Senegal striker guided a low finish past Ederson. Oğuz Aydın then hit the crossbar from an acute angle, but Villa scored again in the 39th minute. Barkley won the ball on the edge of the box, and Jackson's low drive from around 18 yards was too powerful for Ederson, who could only push it into the net.
On 68 minutes, İsmail Yüksek brought down Manzambi in the area and Barkley sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot. Four minutes later Barkley met Mbaye's cross, and his shot deflected in off substitute Bartuğ Elmaz.
Suzuki tipped over another Aydın effort late on before two substitutes combined for the sixth in the 90th minute: Alysson beat Archie Brown on the right and set up Abraham to tap in.
Manzambi's birthday and Jackson's form
Manzambi was making his Champions League debut and, according to AFP and Opta data published by FotMob, is only the second player to score on his debut in the competition on his birthday.
"My first Champions League game and my first goal - on my birthday. My family are here. That's very nice for me," Manzambi told TNT Sports.
Jackson's double gives him five goals in eight games since joining from Chelsea in August, AFP reported. Asked whether he wanted the penalty for a chance at a hat-trick, he told TNT Sports: "Yeah I wanted to take it but the most important thing is we win. Hopefully next time I'll get the hat-trick." He added: "Very important. We haven't won at home. Our keeper is amazing."
The win came with Villa Park's North Stand closed for building work. Emery had said there were "no excuses" for failing to win any of Villa's previous three home games, AFP reported. Former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood, playing in England for the first time in four years, was booed by home fans and replaced after 69 minutes.
What comes next
Villa, who won 3-2 at Club Brugge on Matchday 1, host Viking on Wednesday 21 October. The Norwegian side are coming off a 3-3 draw with Bayern Munich. Fenerbahçe, who drew 1-1 with Roma in their opener, host Slavia Prague on Tuesday 20 October.
Arsenal are also on six points after their 3-0 win over Lille, while Villa's November opponents Galatasaray are still without a point after a 4-1 home defeat to Barcelona.
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