Fans of both Feyenoord and Aston Villa clashed in the lead up to the matchday two Europa League meeting between the pair. Dutch reports suggest that five people had been arrested following the incident, which took place outside of an Irish pub.
A video uploaded by a Villa fan in Rotterdam to X stated: “Me and my son were looking for a bar and got to this bar but we didn’t try to go in as it looked a bit tense then it kicked off. Here is my son’s video.”
Combined with the violence in Rotterdam, Dutch publication AD reported that fireworks had been set off outside of the hotel that the Villa players were staying at on Wednesday night in a bid to disturb the Premier League side ahead of Thursday’s game.
Feyenoord were hoping the off-field event would boost their chances of bouncing back from last week’s opening Europa League defeat to Braga. Villa, meanwhile, were looking to make it three victories on the spin having got their European campaign off to a winning start at Bologna‘s expense last week before they beat Fulham on Sunday.
Despite defeat to Braga last week, Feyenoord have started the season well, winning five of their seven competitive outings ahead of the welcome of Villa. And Unai Emery was under no illusion of the tough test his men would face in Rotterdam.
“I know it. Of course, they [the players] know, as well, the difficulties we will face tomorrow,” Emery said during his pre-match press conference on Wednesday. “Firstly, because to play away, always is difficult. Secondly, because Europa League is very, very difficult.
“Thirdly, because Feyenoord, they performed fantastic last year in Champions League. Every team they were playing here, they were struggling. And I know, the environment is really supporting them and pushing them and playing like one more player for them.
“And we have to try to dominate through our personality, dominate our idea, to impose and try to stop them tactically and individually. Be focused, 90 minutes, and respecting them like the first idea we have and the first detail we want to get tomorrow, respect them, try to play with our personality.”
Villa have made a rocky start to the season as Emery oversaw a six-game winless streak to kick off the campaign, a run that included a disappointing EFL Cup exit at the hands of a much-changed Brentford via penalties.
However, they finally secured their first league win of the season last weekend as goals from Ollie Watkins, John McGinn and Emiliano Buendia cancelled out Raul Jimenez’s opener in an eventual 3-1 victory.
Aston Villa will look to head into the international break on a high as they gear up for Sunday’s welcome of Burnley. The Clarets make the trip to Villa Park in 18th and are one of two sides to have lost all three away league matches so far. Unai Emery’s side will face Tottenham after the international break before taking on another Dutch opponent, Go Ahead Eagles, in their next Europa League fixture.
