Aston Villa secured a 2-0 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv in a Europa League match overshadowed by political tensions and heavy security. The atmosphere around Villa Park was tense, with a large police presence, protests, and the absence of away fans due to safety concerns. Inside the stadium, the mood was subdued, with empty seats in the away section and little of the usual energy associated with European nights. On the pitch, Villa took the lead just before halftime and added a second from the penalty spot, but the match itself felt secondary to the events surrounding it, as both teams seemed eager for the evening to be over.