Mere weeks after winning their first-ever European match, Deventer-based Go Ahead Eagles played their biggest opponent yet as English giants Aston Villa came to visit De Adelaarshorst. Striker Milan Smit, who became the hero with a winning brace against Panathinaikos, was handed his fifth straight start in the absence of the injured Victor Edvardsen.
Former Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof was given his first start for the Villains, replacing Matty Cash at right-back. Of the four Dutchmen who returned to their home country, Lamare Bogarde and Ian Maatsen were named in the starting lineup, leaving Donyell Malen and Marco Bizot on the bench.
A bright start from the Eagles almost saw centre-half Gerrit Nauber give the home side a surprise lead after 90 seconds, but his effort barely flew over Emi Martinez's crossbar.
Aston Villa abruptly ended Go Ahead Eagles' energetic start when the home team's goalkeeper Jari De Busser and Nauber failed to properly clear a cross from Jadon Sancho, giving Evann Guessand an easy chance to put the Villains up 1-0 through a rebound tap-in.
De Busser kept Go Ahead Eagles alive in the early stages with two excellent saves, keeping Sancho and Ollie Watkins from scoring in the opening twenty minutes.
The fighting home side were handed a tricky hand when trusted centre-half Gerrit Nauber was forced off the pitch after a challenge with Dutchman Lemayro Bogarde. Midfielder Calvin Twigt replaced the German, who was stretchered off with a leg injury.
Eagles flying high
De Busser was the Eagles' saviour again after denying Guessand a brace from a one-on-one, leaving the home side alive in a half dominated by the English visitors.
After suffering another blow by losing Danish starlet Jakob Breum to an apparent hamstring injury, Go Ahead Eagles struck gold shortly before the break. Belgian winger Mathis Suray stood on the receiving end of a free-kick and curled the ball into the top left corner, leaving Martinez nailed to the ground.
After Aston Villa controlled most of the ball after half-time, Go Ahead Eagles right-back and captain Mats Deijl found himself in Villa's box following a deep ball from Joris Kramer. Deijl stayed ahead of two opponents and subtly chipped the ball past Martinez to give the home side a famous lead.
The Villains had trouble getting back in contention following Deijl's goal and failed to create many chances whatsoever in a rainy Deventer, but were given a golden ticket when Slovakian referee Filip Glova pointed to the spot after a handball from Indonesian international Dean James.
Emiliano Buendia stood behind the ball, but rocketed it over De Busser's goal to keep the home side in the lead.
A flock of Villains stormed Go Ahead Eagles' half in the final ten minutes, but were unable to find a breakthrough in the pouring Dutch rain. Go Ahead Eagles booked a historic win against Aston Villa, their second Europa League victory in a row and first at home in club history.
Aston Villa, who dropped their first points of the European campaign, continue their Europa League season at home against Maccabi Tel Aviv. Go Ahead Eagles tied Aston Villa on six points from three games and will travel to Austria next, where Red Bull Salzburg will be the next opponent on November 6th.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Mats Deijl (Go Ahead Eagles)