John Townley's Aston Villa player ratings after Unai Emery's side beat Fenerbahce in the Champions League
Johan Manzambi celebrates scoring for Aston Villa
Johan Manzambi opened the scoring for Aston Villa against Fenerbahce(Image: Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Aston Villa claimed their first home win of the season by thrashing Fenerbahce 6-0 to secure successive Champions League victories.
Johan Manzambi marked his Champions League debut and 21st birthday with the opening goal before Nicolas Jackson scored a brace before the break. Ross Barkley then bagged a couple of his own in the second half and Tammy Abraham completed the rout.
The victory means Villa have become only the third team this century - after Man City (2022-24) and United (2006-08) - to win more than 10 consecutive home matches in major European competition. They have also won more games (15) than any other team in European competition since the start of last season.
Unai Emery’s side started on the front foot against Fenerbahce - whom they beat in Turkey back in January - with Manzambi finding dangerous pockets of space and linking up with Jackson.
Moments after the pair combined to win a corner, Villa opened the scoring through £52 million summer arrival Manzambi, whose effort found the back of the net via a deflection after Fenerbahce failed to deal with McGinn’s delivery from a short corner.
In the 15th minute, Fenerbahce came close to equalising when target man Vedat Muriqi was left unmarked at the back post, but Zion Suzuki had his angles covered and saved his header.
Suzuki was again on hand to deny Muriqi shortly afterwards, as the striker stretched out a leg to reach a through ball, only for Villa’s goalkeeper to smother the effort after racing off his line.
The Turkish side continued to create chances, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka making a key block to prevent İrfan Can Kahveci’s effort from finding the net.
Villa punished Fenerbahce for failing to make the most of their openings when Boubacar Kamara won the ball back in the opposition half before finding Jackson, who drilled his shot beyond former Man City goalkeeper Ederson.
Suzuki ensured Villa’s lead remained intact in the 35th minute when he tipped Oguz Aydın’s powerful effort onto the crossbar, although the referee awarded a goal kick rather than a corner.
Jackson then took the game away from Fenerbahce before half-time, playing a one-two with Ross Barkley before firing past Ederson for a second time.
The Senegalese striker had the chance to complete his hat-trick after Manzambi was tripped in the box and Villa were awarded a penalty, but Barkley took responsibility and buried the spot-kick in front of the Holte End.
Barkley then doubled his tally on the night, scoring Villa’s fifth when his strike from outside the box took a deflection and flew past Ederson.
Villa will target a third consecutive Champions League victory against Viking FK after travelling to Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday.
Make sure you never miss the latest Aston Villa news and opinion by making Birmingham Live one of your Google preferred sources.
Player ratings
Zion Suzuki
Suzuki made an excellent fingertip save to deny Oguz when Villa were two goals to the good, with the ball clipping the top of the bar. That came after he raced off his line to bravely foil Muriqi. 8
Matty Cash
Cash provided a threat for Villa down the right as he galloped in support of McGinn, which also allowed the Scot to combine inside. He almost added a fourth when his effort flew into the side-netting via a deflection off Archie Brown. 7
Victor Lindelof
Lindelof made a number of first contacts in the Villa box to deal with Fenerbahce crosses. 7
Pau Torres
Torres played the ball over the top for Mbaye, which led to Villa’s first corner. That was the first of several passes that broke the lines for his teammates. 7
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Wan-Bissaka operated at left-back tonight and will do so for the next few games as well. He came up against Mason Greenwood and dealt with him well, keeping him quiet for most of the game. 7
Boubacar Kamara
Kamara nabbed the ball off Ismail Yusek before offloading it to Jackson to add a second. It was a much-improved performance from the midfielder this evening. 7
Ross Barkley
Barkley was called into the starting XI this evening, replacing Joao Gomes in the double pivot. He combined with Jackson for the striker’s second of the night before half-time. Scored a couple of his own and brought more control, which had been lacking before tonight. 9
John McGinn
McGinn won the ball back in the final third, which led to Villa’s third of the night. He opened his body up to strike at goal early in the second half, but his shot was saved by Ederson. 7
Johan Manzambi
Manzambi made his Champions League debut tonight on his 21st birthday and marked it with the opening goal, finding himself in the right place at the right time in a crowded box. Matteo Guendouzi was booked in the first half for tugging Manzambi back after being beaten by the Swiss midfielder. 8
Ibrahim Mbaye
Mbaye made his second start for Villa tonight, operating from the left wing. His touch was a little heavy at times as he tried to beat Skriniar for pace. Not everything came off, but he kept committing defenders. He was thwarted by Ederson after being played in by Jackson on the counter-attack. 7
Nicolas Jackson
Jackson really does look the part in this team. After scoring two more goals tonight, he now has three in two Champions League matches. Both finishes were excellent. His hold-up play and combinations were also spot on. 9*
SUBS
Alysson (for Kamara, 75'): N/A
Joao Gomes (for Manzambi, 75'): N/A
Tammy Abraham (for Jackcon, 78'): Rounded off the night with Villa's sixth. 7
Alejandro Garnacho (for Mbaye, 78'): N/A
Leon Goretzka (for Barkley, 83'): N/A
Subs not used: Bizot, Wright, Mings, Buendia.
GOALS
Aston Villa: Manzambi (12'), Jackson (31', 39'), Barkley (68' PEN, 72'), Abraham (90')
Fenerbahce: N/A