Midlands | Emery celebrates anniversary with a win
Aston Villa 2 - 0 Maccabi Tel Aviv
Ian Maatsen’s early strike and a Donyell Malen penalty secured victory for Unai Emery’s side.
Stadium | Villa Park
The hosts laboured for long spells in a subdued performance, with Maccabi offering far more than mere resistance. Osher Davida’s strike deflected narrowly wide, while Dor Peretz squandered a fine opportunity by firing straight at Emi Martínez.
Villa, beaten at Liverpool on Saturday, rarely found rhythm even after Maatsen squeezed in the opener from a tight angle deep into first-half stoppage time.
Martínez was again called upon to deny Peretz after the interval, before Malen secured the win from the penalty spot following a generous award, with Konsa appearing to trip over his own feet.
Another milestone for the Villa boss
This fixture came exactly three years since Emery took charge of his first Aston Villa game, a 3-1 win over Manchester United that ended the club’s long wait for a home victory against the Red Devils.
Of the players involved that day, only Emi Martínez and Ezri Konsa were in Thursday’s starting XI. Emi Buendía, Ollie Watkins and John McGinn all featured from the bench against Maccabi, while Lucas Digne and Matty Cash remained unused substitutes.
Given the turnover since 2022, it might seem odd to suggest Villa still lean heavily on the old guard. Yet while Emery’s squad has evolved, much of its core remains unchanged. Martínez was again crucial, making several key stops, while Konsa won the penalty that sealed the result, albeit in contentious fashion.
The newer arrivals, including Maatsen and Malen, often found it difficult against a determined Maccabi side. In contrast, the influence of Watkins, McGinn and a rejuvenated Buendía continues to be central to Villa’s ambitions, as do full-backs Cash and Digne.
Even with five consecutive wins and a statement victory over Manchester City, there lingers a sense that this Villa side, for all their progress, still carries a touch of vulnerability.
Best reaction from those involved
EIGHT unbeaten European games in a row at Villa Park 🏠 🏟️
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) November 6, 2025
The Fortress 🏰 pic.twitter.com/gWAGdLcoRZ
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery told TNT Sports
"We showed focus and respect for the competition and the opposition. We were playing solidly and playing seriously. We conceded more chances than we planned. They needed to get something here and they played very well, but overall we dominated.
Defender Ezri Konsa added his thoughts on the same channel
"It was clear that we needed to win, with the table and how it's looking. We made it work and we got the three points. It's always nice to lead the team out, it's a role I've always wanted to do. We have a great captain in John McGinn, but when he's not on the pitch, I've got to take responsibility.
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