Go Ahead Eagles Stun Aston Villa in Europa League Thriller
It was one of those nights in European football that nobody saw coming. Aston Villa, flying high after a string of strong performances, were humbled by the Dutch underdogs Go Ahead Eagles in a dramatic 2–1 defeat in Deventer. What was expected to be a routine victory for Unai Emery’s side turned into a story of missed chances, penalty heartbreak, and a famous night for the home fans.
Aston Villa actually started perfectly. Just four minutes in, new signing Evann Guessand scored his first goal for the club, calmly slotting home after a rebound from Jadon Sancho’s cross. For a moment, it looked like Villa were ready to run away with it. They completely dominated possession and created chance after chance — but none were taken. Ollie Watkins and Sancho both forced good saves, and Guessand himself hesitated on a golden opportunity that could’ve made it 2–0 before the half-hour mark.
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Then, out of nowhere, the game flipped. Just before half-time, a deflected shot from Mathis Suray looped over Emiliano MartÃnez, silencing the traveling Villa fans and setting the stadium alight. The home side, who were playing in the Dutch second division only a few years ago, began to believe. Fifteen minutes into the second half, their captain Mats Deijl completed the turnaround, poking home from close range after a well-worked move down the right. The roar that followed felt like it shook the stands of De Adelaarshorst.
Villa pushed hard for an equalizer, throwing on Morgan Rogers, Donyell Malen, and John McGinn. They even hit the woodwork through Rogers, but their best chance came in the 77th minute when a handball gave them a penalty. It was Emiliano BuendÃa who stepped up — despite not having taken one in nearly five years — and heartbreakingly, he blasted it over the bar. The miss summed up Villa’s ongoing penalty woes. In fact, this was their sixth missed penalty in the past year, and the second in Europe this season.
After the game, Emery remained composed but admitted what everyone was thinking. His team simply had to be more clinical. “BuendÃa had the responsibility today,” he said. “Normally he has good numbers, but he missed. We must be more responsible and confident with our takers.” He mentioned Sancho, McGinn, and Rogers as future options — but it’s clear that Villa’s confidence from the spot has become a serious issue.
For Go Ahead Eagles, though, this was pure history. Their captain Deijl called it “the biggest win so far for this club,” and for good reason. From second-tier football in 2021 to beating a Premier League powerhouse in 2025 — their rise is nothing short of remarkable.
For Villa, the focus now turns to bouncing back, with Manchester City waiting next. But for the Eagles and their fans, this night will be remembered forever — a European dream come true under the floodlights in Deventer.
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