Jadon Sancho scored his first goal for Aston Villa as the Premier League side secured qualification for the Europa League last 16 with a hard-fought victory over Fenerbahce in Istanbul.
Villa’s latest win means they have now claimed six victories from their opening seven matches in the league phase of the Europa League. That impressive run places them third in the table and guarantees a top-eight finish, ensuring progression with one game still to play.
The decisive moment came in the 25th minute. Sancho reacted quickest after Matty Cash’s cross took a deflection, nodding the ball home from close range beyond Fenerbahce goalkeeper Ederson. It was a simple finish, but a significant one for both the player and his club, giving Villa control of the contest.
Unai Emery made six changes from the side that lost to Everton in the Premier League on Sunday, yet Villa still looked composed for much of the match. They created the better chances in the first half and came close to doubling their lead before the break. Sancho nearly added a second when he rounded Ederson after being sent through by Morgan Rogers, but Fenerbahce captain Milan Skriniar produced a crucial goal-line block.
Rogers thought he had scored from the rebound, only for play to be halted because the ball had struck the referee in the build-up. The frustration continued after the interval when another Rogers effort was ruled out, this time with Sancho judged to have moved too early before squaring the ball.
Villa also went close through Cash, whose long-range effort struck the far post, while goalkeeper Marco Bizot was called into action midway through the second half to deny substitute Talisca in a one-on-one situation.
Fenerbahce pushed hard in the closing stages and briefly believed they had equalised with 15 minutes remaining. Kerem Akturkoglu’s finish sparked celebrations, but a video assistant referee check ruled the goal out for an offside in the build-up involving former Villa striker Jhon Duran.
The decision ensured Villa left Istanbul with all three points, a clean sheet, and confirmation of their place in the last 16, underlining their consistency and control in the competition so far.
