Nicolas Jackson scored twice as Aston Villa secured a historic 6-0 Champions League victory over Fenerbahce at Villa Park. The emphatic win on Wednesday night marked the club's biggest ever triumph in European competition and their first home victory of the season.
Jackson opened his account in the 27th minute and added a second before the break, taking his tally to five goals since his £65m summer move from Chelsea. Johan Manzambi, celebrating his 21st birthday, scored the opening goal on his Champions League debut, while Ross Barkley netted a brace including a penalty. Tammy Abraham completed the rout in the 90th minute, assisted by Jackson.
Manager and player reaction
Unai Emery, the Aston Villa manager, highlighted the importance of ending the home drought. "Jackson is doing a fantastic job," Emery said. "He's scoring, he's working defensively and helping the team. This is very important." The manager acknowledged his squad, which integrated ten new players this summer, is still a work in progress but showed no signs of struggle in this match.
Jackson, who was reunited with Emery having made his professional debut under him at Villarreal, expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance. "I wanted to take it but the most important thing is we win," Jackson said, referring to the penalty taken by Barkley. "Hopefully next time I'll get the hat-trick." The 25-year-old striker also praised his teammates, calling birthday scorer Manzambi a "top player."
Context of a record win
The result is the biggest victory of Emery's tenure at Villa Park. It also means Aston Villa are one of only two teams, alongside Paris Saint-Germain, to have scored three first-half goals in both of their opening two Champions League matches this campaign. Three of the six goals were scored at the end of the North Stand, which is scheduled for redevelopment this winter-a factor Emery had previously suggested impacted early-season home form.
Fenerbahce's best chance came when Oguz Aydin struck the crossbar, while goalkeeper Zion Suzuki made two important saves from Vedat Muriqi. For Villa, the win provides a significant confidence boost ahead of a key Premier League fixture against Newcastle United this weekend, where the focus will shift to improving a league position built on just one point from three home games.
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