Stuttering Aston Villa edged past Maccabi Tel Aviv on a challenging evening to strengthen their position in the Europa League.
Ian Maatsen’s opener and Donyell Malen’s penalty gave Unai Emery’s side victory in a game that followed pre-match protests at Villa Park, with no visiting fans of the Israeli team allowed in the ground.
Villa are sixth in the league phase table after four games, having secured the victory Emery wanted after he spoke of the need to react to last month’s defeat at Go Ahead Eagles.
Yet the hosts often struggled in a largely tepid display as Maccabi did more than just frustrate, Osher Davida’s effort deflected inches wide while Dor Peretz shot straight at Emi Martinez from a golden chance.
Villa, who lost at Liverpool on Saturday, flattered to deceive even after Maatsen squeezed in the opening goal from a tight angle in first-half stoppage time.
It did not completely settle the hosts and Martinez needed to save from Peretz again after the break.
Malen then sealed victory from the spot after Villa were awarded a penalty, despite Ezri Konsa falling over his own feet.
The game was played in circumstances that were far different to the normal routine of a European game.
Local police had prepared for several groups to protest, including pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli campaigners.
Six arrests were made, it was announced, with more than 700 police officers deployed.
Maccabi manager Zarko Lazetic explained afterwards that his squad arrived five hours before kick-off on police advice.
Lazetic’s side were not helped during the game by the penalty award, and the Maccabi boss said of that incident: “It’s not my job but it looked like nothing.
“There was a small margin and it went on their side. We showed who we are.”