(DDM) — Aston Villa’s Europa League campaign suffered a major setback on Thursday night as they fell 2-1 to Dutch underdogs Go Ahead Eagles, in what many have called one of the most shocking results of the season.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Unai Emery’s men looked poised to continue their winning run after Evann Guessand opened the scoring in the 4th minute, but wastefulness in front of goal and a missed penalty from Emiliano Buendia condemned them to a humbling defeat at the De Adelaarshorst Stadium in Deventer.
The match, played under heavy rain and a raucous 10,000-strong home crowd, started brightly for Villa. Guessand’s early strike, his first since his £25 million move from Nice, seemed to set the tone for another dominant display.
Buendia linked up well with Jadon Sancho, whose low cross forced a parry from goalkeeper Jari De Busser, leaving Guessand to slot home into an empty net.
However, despite several clear chances from Ollie Watkins, Sancho, and Guessand again, Villa failed to extend their lead. Watkins missed a one-on-one opportunity, and De Busser continued to frustrate Emery’s side with brilliant saves.
Against the run of play, the hosts equalised in the 42nd minute when Mathis Suray’s deflected shot looped over goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, sending the home fans into a frenzy.
Go Ahead Eagles, who were in the Dutch second division as recently as 2021, completed their comeback early in the second half.
Their captain Mats Deijl chested down a cross from Joris Kramer before poking the ball past Martínez to make it 2-1.
The atmosphere turned electric as the Dutch minnows held firm against wave after wave of Villa attacks. Emery introduced Morgan Rogers, Donyell Malen, and John McGinn to salvage a result, with Rogers coming close after his fierce strike rattled the crossbar.
Villa were handed a lifeline in the 77th minute when the referee pointed to the spot for a handball by Dean James, but Buendia’s poorly struck penalty flew over the bar, sealing Villa’s fate.
Sancho, on his second start since joining from Manchester United, failed to make a significant impact and was substituted midway through the second half.
His quiet performance raised fresh doubts about his match fitness and adaptation to Emery’s tactical system.
Go Ahead Eagles’ victory, celebrated with fireworks at full-time, was described by local media as “the biggest night in the club’s modern history.”
Their fans chanted long after the final whistle as players embraced in disbelief at having toppled a Premier League heavyweight.
Emery, visibly frustrated, admitted after the match that his side “lacked precision and composure,” saying they “must learn quickly to convert chances and control key moments.”
Despite the defeat, Aston Villa remain well-placed to qualify from the Europa League group stage, though their next fixture, against Maccabi Tel-Aviv now carries added pressure amid heightened political and security sensitivities surrounding the tie.
Villa, who face Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday, will need a swift recovery to avoid further damage to their momentum.
For Go Ahead Eagles, however, the night was one of pure joy, a story of passion, belief, and triumph that will be remembered for years in Dutch football folklore.