Villa fall to shock Europa League defeat at Go Ahead Eagles

Go Ahead Eagles had never previously faced an English side in European competition

Emiliano Buendia missed a second-half penalty as Aston Villa fell to a shock Europa League defeat against a plucky Go Ahead Eagles side in Deventer.

Evann Guessand's early prodded finish had looked like being the precursor to Unai Emery's side maintaining their 100% record in the competition.

But the hosts drew level from Mathis Suray's deflected shot just before the interval and went ahead when Mats Deijl stole in just after the hour mark to lift the ball over Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

And when Buendia sent his spot-kick over in the closing stages after home defender Dean James had been penalised for handball the tight De Adelaarshorst stadium erupted with joy.

It ensured a famous victory for the Eredivisie side, who qualified for the competition by winning the Dutch Cup last term for their first major honour in 92 years.

However, it will be a galling defeat for Villa and Emery, who initially appeared to be vindicated for making wholesale changes from their Premier League win at Tottenham last Sunday.

The result leaves Villa seventh in the table while the Dutch club move up to 10th, also on six points, prior to Thursday evening's later kick-offs.

There appeared to be a significant gulf in class between the teams for most of the first period, with home goalkeeper Jari de Busser at fault as Guessand helped the visitors take charge.

The Ivory Coast forward could and should have extended Villa's advantage after running through on goal just on the half-hour mark but he allowed De Busser to spread himself and save at close range.

When the Belgian goalkeeper made another fine stop to prevent a low drive from Jadon Sancho finding the bottom corner it seemed only a matter of time before Villa's dominance was rewarded by a second goal.

Instead the visitors' high defensive line was exposed as Suray's effort looped off Tyrone Mings into the top left corner.

A second error cost them the game when Deijl was given the freedom to run on to a long pass forward by a sleeping back four.

Aston Villa analysis: Emery's side pay for early profligacy

Quite how Villa lost this encounter from a position of such authority and on the back of a five-match winning run, in all competitions, will be a concern to Emery.

For much of the first half the Spaniard watched his players fail to take advantage of opportunities to put the game beyond opponents who sit 12th in the Dutch top flight.

Buendia, Ollie Watkins and Mings all should have done better with gilt-edged chances and Villa's profligacy ultimately provided the hosts with enough encouragement to force their way back into the game.

"Even dominating chances, we conceded mistakes, some chances. We must accept it. We have broken the good form we have and I hope we recover quick," said Emery.

"They had motivation and their goal helped them to feel stronger. The second goal we conceded we have to try to avoid. Second half we dominated, but we conceded a few chances and they were clinical. They deserved it."

Go Ahead Eagles had barely spent any time in Villa territory and the shot count was 12 to three in the visitors' favour when Suray equalised.

Alarmingly for Emery, once his team had relinquished control they were never able to reclaim it.

John McGinn, Morgan Rogers and Donyell Malen were all summoned from the bench, but aside from a cross from the England forward that hit the bar it did not translate into anything concrete.

And Buendia's miss, Villa's fourth failure from their past five penalties in Europe, condemned them to a first defeat against a Dutch club.

What's next for these teams?

Aston Villa host Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday, 26 October (14:00 GMT). They play their fourth Europa League match on Thursday, 6 November when Maccabi Tel Aviv come to Villa Park (20:00 GMT).

Go Ahead Eagles face Excelsior on Sunday in the Eredivisie (19:00 GMT).