Aston Villa confirmed a place in the Europa League last 16 with one match still to play after defeating Fenerbahce away from home. The result extended Villa’s strong league-phase run and ensured they cannot slip outside the top eight.
The decisive moment arrived midway through the first half. Jadon Sancho reacted quickest to a deflected delivery from Matty Cash and guided a close-range header past goalkeeper Ederson in the 25th minute.
That finish marked Sancho’s first goal for Villa since arriving on loan. It proved enough on a tense evening, even though the contest remained finely balanced for long spells.
Missed chances and VAR drama
Villa created the clearer openings before the interval. Sancho went close again shortly before halftime after rounding Ederson from a Morgan Rogers pass, only for Milan Skriniar to block his effort on the line.
Rogers appeared to score from the rebound, but play was stopped because the ball had struck the referee beforehand. A second Rogers goal was later ruled out when Sancho had moved too early before squaring the ball.
The hosts thought they had levelled late on when Kerem Akturkoglu found the net. However, a VAR review spotted an offside earlier in the move involving former Villa forward Jhon Duran, preserving the visitors’ advantage.
Key performers and squad rotation
Villa made six changes following their recent Premier League defeat by Everton, yet still controlled long periods. Cash hit the post with a long-range attempt, while goalkeeper Marco Bizot produced a strong save to deny substitute Talisca when through on goal.
Sancho, making his 19th appearance for the club, was among the most inventive players alongside Rogers. Although he has started only twice in the league this season, he has been selected from the beginning in each of Villa’s last five Europa League fixtures.
Unai Emery, overseeing his 100th match in the competition, also handed Tyrone Mings a first start since November after a thigh injury. Amadou Onana returned with a brief late appearance, while Emery showed visible frustration as Youri Tielemans was withdrawn deep into stoppage time.
