Aston Villa edged out Feyenoord 2-0 in Rotterdam to move to six points from two fixtures in their Europa League group. The match at De Kuip, the iconic stadium that witnessed their greatest European triumph in 1982, offered a tense, cagey contest through much of the first half before Villa delivered the decisive blows after the break.
Emiliano Buendía’s clever strike in the 61st minute and John McGinn’s finish in the 79th made the difference, all the while a string of refereeing calls stirred frustration among the home side’s faithful.
From the earliest moments, Feyenoord showed their hunger to impose themselves. Supported by a vociferous crowd, the Dutch side pressed high, probing Villa’s backline for gaps and seeking openings from set pieces and wide areas.
Villa’s backline—shielded by stand-in goalkeeper Marco Bizot, who replaced an injured Emi Martínez shortly before kick-off—were put under repeated pressure. Bizot was forced into several strong saves, turning away efforts from players like Anis Hadj Moussa and Luciano Valente.
The match took an early twist when referee Rade Obrenović brandished just a yellow card to Anel Ahmedhodzic after a last-man challenge on Ollie Watkins. The decision came under VAR review, but the on-field ruling stood, infuriating Ferreira’s side, as Watkins had been in clear motion toward goal with scant cover behind him.
The tension ratcheted further when Feyenoord thought they had taken the lead from a corner: Ayase Ueda headed home, only for the goal to be disallowed over an alleged foul by Tsuyoshi Watanabe, adjudged to have impeded Matty Cash.
That decision sparked visible outrage, and Van Persie later revealed the referee had offered an apology in the tunnel at half-time.
Despite dominating possession and peppering Villa’s defensive third, Feyenoord could not find a breakthrough. Villa defended in numbers, relying on the composure of Bizot, the solidity of Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa, and block after block from their midfielders.
The tension of the first half gave way to a strategic recalibration during the break, and in the ensuing exchanges Villa began to grow more confident in transitions.
The breakthrough arrived just past the hour mark. Boubacar Kamara won possession around midfield and laid off a clever pass to Buendía, who took a touch and curled a strike into the bottom corner, leaving the keeper with no chance.
In that moment, the shifting momentum favored the visitors. Feyenoord tried to respond immediately but their build-ups lacked the final incision, and every attempt seemed to draw Villa further into their shell of resilience.
As the game wore on, Villa sensed Feyenoord’s resolve might crack. In the 79th minute, Donyell Malen robbed a defender as he entered the box, only to lose control of the ball. But McGinn was alert to the loose chance, pouncing and smashing the ball into the net to double Villa’s advantage.
It proved the dagger in Feyenoord’s hopes. The hosts huffed and puffed in the late minutes, but every foray was met with defensive steel or a timely intervention from Bizot.
Once the final whistle blew, Villa’s bench erupted in relief. The visitors had braved a first-half storm, absorbed pressure, and responded when needed. Emery, visibly pleased, pointed to the character and discipline of his side as the foundation of the victory.
Bizot, thrust into the spotlight, earned plaudits for stepping into Martínez’s shoes and keeping a clean sheet amid intense scrutiny.
Feyenoord had entered the night unbeaten at home in the Dutch league and riding the confidence of domestic form, yet they found themselves coming up short on a night when fine margins decided fate.
Villa now prepare for their next European assignment with full confidence, knowing two perfect results in the group stage set a tone of momentum, and they remain in firm control of their destiny.