Fenerbahçe crushed 6-0 by Aston Villa as Kartal criticises costly errors

Fenerbahçe suffered a heavy 6-0 defeat against Aston Villa in the Champions League, with coach İsmail Kartal particularly unhappy that mistakes had allowed his opponents to take control. Aston Villa secured its biggest win in a major European competition and made it two Champions League victories from two, while Kartal called the score unacceptable.

Manzambi marked his 21st birthday with the opener, and Jackson added two goals to give Villa a commanding position by the interval. The performance also encouraged Unai Emery as summer signings and returning players continued to settle into his system.

“Fantastic night, fantastic,” Emery said, delighted to share the occasion with the Villa Park crowd. He also said the Champions League was a competition in which his team could feel comfortable and compete in the way it had that night, as it did in the first match against Brugge. But he played down his side’s chances of lifting the trophy: “We are not contenders to get this trophy.” He recalled that Villa had reached the quarter-finals two years ago through consistency, ambition and high standards, and described the team’s start to this season’s competition as fantastic.

Emery praised the players’ contributions but said the squad needed more players who could compete, get fit and feel comfortable in his system. He pointed to the progress of Mbaye and Manzambi, who was gradually feeling more comfortable after his injury, as well as Nicolas Jackson’s improving form, while adding that the team needed more players.

Kartal disputed the scale of the defeat: “The first and second halves didn’t deserve this result. But you’re competing at the highest level. You shouldn’t make such simple passing errors. My players and I have learned very important lessons.” He said his team had responded well until the 62nd minute, but that the match fell apart after the penalty was scored and mistakes followed. His stated aim was to put the defeat behind them and beat Alanyaspor three days later to help their fans forget it. Emery, meanwhile, hoped his team could build on its progress on Saturday against Newcastle.