The prevailing sense was of relief that, after all the breathless conjecture and discussion that had dominated the nation’s news cycle at times, an event with no real winners passed safely. At least Aston Villa did what was expected of them, ultimately coming through with comfort against a respectable Maccabi Tel Aviv team who had chances to make a sleepy affair more interesting. They needed the points to put their Europa League campaign back on track, settling for a rasping Ian Maatsen finish and, in the second half, a Donyell Malen penalty.
This tie had loomed glaringly when it was drawn out in August. Back then there was a sizeable clamour for Israeli clubs to be barred from European competition, a stance pressed home by several placards held by protesters outside the stadium. That has largely quietened since a ceasefire was agreed in the Gaza war but the noise around Maccabi’s visit was ramped up when visiting fans were banned from attending the game on public safety grounds. In the event, protests in the ground’s periphery were largely contained and had almost completely abated by the game’s halfway point.
Inside Villa Park, the game’s backstory was told most starkly by the empty banks of seats in the Doug Ellis Stand that has housed away supporters since time immemorial. “You’ve seen the Villa, now fuck off home,” was the chant directed that way by the home choirs, noticeably depleted in number, shortly after kick-off. The adaptation of a chide commonly heard at domestic games was of a piece with a quiet, mellow atmosphere far removed from the scenes a few metres outside the stands.
