Aston Villa 6-0 Fenerbahce: Manzambi 12, Jackson 31, 39, Barkley 68 pen, 72, Abraham 90
Aston Villa have reason to believe now. Their attacking play has been a concern this season after they managed only one goal in their opening four matches, but the goals have started to flow in recent weeks.
After thrashing Fenerbahce 6-0, Villa have now won their opening two matches in the Champions League. It was also their biggest win ever in European competition. Who else could have been the architect but that man Unai Emery?
Johan Manzambi opened the scoring and Nicolas Jackson scored twice before half-time. Ross Barkley then added two more after the break, before Tammy Abraham completed the rout in the closing stages at Villa Park.
Manzambi put the hosts ahead in the 12th minute after John McGinn’s corner caused confusion in the Fenerbahce defence. Matteo Guendouzi inadvertently directed the ball into the Swiss midfielder’s path, and his attempt found the net after taking a deflection off Milan Skriniar.
Fenerbahce responded with some promising attacks, but Zion Suzuki kept out two efforts from Vedat Muriqi. Greenwood also tested the Villa goalkeeper, although his attempt lacked the power to cause serious trouble.
Villa were more clinical at the other end. Boubacar Kamara won possession high up the pitch and passed to Jackson, who drove a low shot into the corner from the edge of the penalty area in the 31st minute.
Fenerbahce had an opportunity to reduce the deficit when Oguz Aydin broke through the Villa defence, but his effort struck the crossbar. The visitors were punished for failing to take their chance when Jackson scored again six minutes before half-time.
McGinn recovered possession and Barkley supplied the pass for Jackson, who finished from a similar position to his first goal. The Senegal international, signed from Chelsea in the summer, took his tally to five goals since joining Villa and put the hosts firmly in control.
The second half brought further punishment for Fenerbahce. Manzambi was brought down by Ismail Yuksek in the penalty area in the 68th minute, giving Villa the chance to extend their lead. Jackson had hoped to complete his hat-trick, but Barkley stepped up and converted the penalty.
The midfielder struck again four minutes later, his effort from the edge of the area taking a deflection that wrong-footed the former Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson. Abraham added the sixth goal in the 90th minute, turning in Alysson’s cross from close range to cap an emphatic evening for Villa.
