UEFA Europa League League Stage - 3
GO Ahead Eagles 2 - 1 FT Aston Villa
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
E. Guessand 4'
14' Gerrit Nauber
15' ↓ G. Nauber ↑C. Twigt
39' ↓ J. Breum ↑K. Goudmijn
42' M. Suray (C. Twigt)
HT
61' M. Deijl (J. Kramer)
↓ A. Onana ↑M. Cash 66'
↓ O. Watkins ↑D. Malen 66'
↓ V. Lindelof ↑M. Rogers 66'
↓ J. Sancho ↑B. Kamara 66'
↓ L. Bogarde ↑J. McGinn 76'
83' ↓ Y. Salah Rahmouni ↑E. Linthorst
83' ↓ M. Suray ↑R. Weijenberg
83' ↓ R. Margaret ↑A. Adelgaard
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
GO Ahead Eagles
Goalkeepers
J. De Busser 
PROVOCATEUR
1
Fouls Won
1
Fouls Won
1
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
Midfielders
M. Meulensteen 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Y. Salah Rahmouni
LATE SHIFT
7
Late Mins
7
Late Mins
83
Total Mins
83
Entry
R. Margaret
LATE SHIFT
7
Late Mins
7
Late Mins
83
Total Mins
83
Entry
J. Breum 
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
M. Suray 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Forwards
M. Smit
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
L. Plogmann 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
N. Verdoni
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
G. van Zwam
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Dirksen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Adelgaard
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
C. Twigt 
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
75
Minutes
7.5
Rating
E. Linthorst
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Weijenberg
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Goudmijn
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
51
Total Mins
Started
Entry
O. Sivertsen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
F. Stokkers
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
O. Boakye
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Aston Villa
Goalkeepers
E. Martinez 
SIEVE
33%
Save %
33%
Save %
2
Conceded
1
Saves
Defenders
V. Lindelof
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
66
Total Mins
66
Entry
T. Mings
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
P. Torres
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
I. Maatsen 
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
35%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
L. Bogarde
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
4
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
A. Onana
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
E. Guessand 
FINISHER
1
Goals
1
Goals
3
Shots
7.2
Rating
E. Buendia
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
32%
Pass Acc
J. Sancho
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
67
Total Mins
66
Entry
Forwards
O. Watkins
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
67
Total Mins
66
Entry
BENCH
M. Bizot
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
S. Proctor
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
M. Cash
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
24
Total Mins
Started
Entry
E. Konsa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. McGinn
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
14
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Elliott
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
B. Kamara
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
23
Total Mins
Started
Entry
B. Burrowes
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. Malen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
23
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Rogers
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
24
Total Mins
Started
Entry
League Standings
P: 3 GD: +6
P: 3 GD: +5
P: 3 GD: +5
P: 3 GD: +4
P: 3 GD: +4
P: 3 GD: +3
P: 3 GD: +2
P: 3 GD: +3
P: 3 GD: +2
P: 3 GD: +2
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: +2
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: -3
P: 3 GD: -4
P: 3 GD: -5
P: 3 GD: -3
P: 3 GD: -4
P: 3 GD: -4
League Standings
P: 8 GD: +13
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +10
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +7
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +7
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +1
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +5
P: 8 GD: +1
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +2
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -3
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -7
P: 8 GD: -8
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -5
P: 8 GD: -9
P: 8 GD: -8
P: 8 GD: -10
P: 8 GD: -11
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Eagles Soar Against the Odds in Spectacular Smash-and-Grab
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 52/100. Our verdict highlights a textbook defensive masterclass where clinical finishing trumped overwhelming territorial control.
Early Siege Tactics
De Adelaarshorst witnessed a bruising opening exchange as Aston Villa imposed their will immediately. The visitors completely dominated possession with a suffocating 70% share, pinning the Dutch side deep inside their own half. That early tactical barrage paid dividends just four minutes in when E. Guessand silenced the home crowd with a sharp opener. The Intensity was through the roof as the English outfit racked up 18 total shots over the contest, looking every bit the dominant force sitting second in the league phase. They forced 10 corners and constructed an intimidating 2.82 expected goals, establishing a firm grip on the tempo. Yet, despite stringing together over 500 passes with remarkable precision, the visitors simply could not put the match to bed.
The Resilient Shift
A wild shift in Balance emerged just before the break, altering the complexion of the tie. Go Ahead Eagles survived the initial onslaught largely thanks to a heroic shift between the sticks from Jari De Busser, who registered six crucial saves to keep his team breathing. With the visitors pushing their defensive line incredibly high, a swift counter-attack abruptly flipped the script. M. Suray finished clinically in the 42nd minute following a perfectly weighted intervention from early substitute C. Twigt. Scoring from one of their mere five total attempts proved that ruthless efficiency matters far more than shot volume. That equalizer shifted the psychological momentum dramatically as both squads headed down the tunnel at the interval.
Completing the Ambush
The Upset factor hit maximum capacity in the 61st minute, sending the local supporters into delirium. Completely against the run of play and defying the relentless wave of Villa pressure, M. Deijl found the back of the net courtesy of J. Kramer. The hosts immediately dropped into a low block, absorbing wave after wave of desperate attacks to protect their slender advantage. Villa pushed bodies forward, but their final touch deserted them in the dying moments. While the Birmingham side remains safely entrenched in the top European spots, this shocking result breathes massive life into Go Ahead Eagles' continental campaign. It proves once again that immense grit and lethal transitions can rewrite the script against massive favorites.
Key Questions
How did GO Ahead Eagles complete the comeback from behind?
Clinical finishing and resolute defending sparked the turnaround. De Busser's brilliant saves anchored them, allowing Suray and Deijl to convert rare counter-attacks into goals.
How did substitute Mats Deijl change the game?
Deijl provided the ultimate sucker punch in the 61st minute, converting a crucial attack into the match-winning goal to secure a historic European upset.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Villa Chase Top-Eight Spot Amidst Eagles' Slump
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 60/100. Aston Villa's relentless winning machine arrives in the Netherlands fully equipped to punish a faltering GO Ahead Eagles side desperate for a top-24 lifeline.
The Setup
Aston Villa are flying. Their Form is phenomenal, boasting a five-match winning streak that has propelled them to second in the Europa League standings. They look primed for direct top-eight qualification. Meanwhile, GO Ahead Eagles are plummeting. A dire run of four consecutive defeats leaves them languishing in 28th, well outside the coveted playoff line. The Stakes under the lights at De Adelaarshorst on October 23, 2025, could not be higher for the hosts. With a severe lack of Balance between the two sides, the visitors will look to dictate the tempo from the very first whistle.
Key Battle
The home side's hopes rest squarely on the shoulders of Jari De Busser. The shot-stopper has faced a barrage of attempts lately, racking up 13 saves over his last two outings. He faces an immense test against John McGinn. The Villa talisman is surging with confidence and will mercilessly test the keeper from distance. Our take? McGinn's raw power might just overwhelm De Busser.
Our Prediction
Expect Aston Villa to dominate possession and exploit the fragile confidence of the hosts. Our verdict is a comfortable 3-0 victory for the visitors, with relentless midfield pressure breaking the Eagles down by the hour mark.