Fenerbahce 0-1 Aston Villa: UEFA Europa League result as Jadon Sancho's goal secures last 16 spot

Jadon Sancho scored his first UEFA Europa League goal in more than three years as he netted the only goal of the game as Aston Villa won at Fenerbahce.

Unai Emery’s side claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory, as stand-in goalkeeper Marco Bizot delivered an exceptional display to keep Fenerbahce at bay with a host of fine saves.

Villa looked the most likely to break the deadlock in the early stages and broke the Fenerbahce resistance in the 25th minute through Sancho, who headed home Matty Cash’s cross from close range.

Emery’s outfit had an excellent opportunity to double their lead just before half-time when Morgan Rogers charged into the box, finding Sancho completely unmarked, who did the hard work to take the ball around ex-Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson, but Fenerbahce's defence retreated to block his low effort.

The visitors did have the ball in the back of the net again in the second half when Rogers’ effort from a tight angle was bundled across the line by a defender, but it was ruled out as the England international had strayed offside.

Fenerbahce finally started to grow into the game midway through the second half and, despite some heroics from Bizot, had the ball in the net when another brilliant Bizot save was palmed into the path of Kerem Akturkoglu, who slotted the rebound into an empty net. However, former Villa striker Jhon Duran was caught offside in the build-up and VAR ruled it offside.

Villa held on for a significant win, which ensured they will finish in the top eight and automatically qualify for the last 16.

This is what Lescott had to say as Unai Emery appeared to push Tielemans away when he was subbed off.

"Regardless of what it was for, if it was the other way around and the player refused to shake his manager's hand, there would be uproar, and his mentality and professionalism would be questioned.

"I'm sure it's more innocent than it looks, but I don't like the look of it."

Williams told TNT Sports: "Given Tielemans' performance, to come off and feel you've done a job for the team with a few minutes left and be shoved by your manager, I just assume it could be because he jogged off the pitch and he probably wanted him to walk off as there's only a couple of minutes left.

"Maybe it's because he's not deploying any dark arts, but that's all I can assume."

Here's what Joeleon Lescott and Fara Williams have had to say on the whistle from the TNT Sports studio.

"You expected a more competitive second-half from Fenerbahce, and they were," Lescott analysed. "Bizot and the two centre-halves, I thought were outstanding today. Mings and Lindelof hadn't had too much game time recently but they didn't put a foot wrong, and it was a very professional performance.

Williams added: "Given the amount of injuries Aston Villa have got, they wouldn't have wanted the extra games, so I felt like they were really disciplined in their defensive structure and they created plenty of chances."

Onana charges though midfield and looks to slip Guessand in, but it clips the heels of the forward and Fenerbahce retrieve possession.

Martin Keown on TNT Sports commentary following that incident between Emery and Tielemans on the touchline.

"Wow, what was that all about? That was very strange."

Emery did not look happy with Tielemans there, and seemed to shove him away to the bench when he came off...

There's still time for Fenerbahce!

For delaying a free-kick and time-wasting.

He's made eight now!

He denies Talisca from outside the box, before denying a close-range header from the following corner.

They're desperate for an equaliser, although that disallowed goal has taken the sting out of the crowd's energy.

Villa will confirm their place in the last 16 with victory here. Plenty can still change, though!

Martin Keown on TNT Sports commentary:

"We were saying about the importance for Aston Villa to keep that clean sheet just for another 10 minutes or so. He gets one go at it, and then the ball comes straight back to him. You have to say it's a quality finish. We've not seen much from him tonight, but he's emphatic there to get his team back into this one."

And then adds: "Duran was offside from the initial ball in, so a reprieve here for Aston Villa."

Duran drifted offside in the build up and the goal is chalked out!

Fenerbahce are level!

Akturkoglu forces another good save out of Bizot, but fires home the follow-up!

Rogers, Sancho, Buendia and Cash come off.

Amadou Onana, Andres Garcia, Evann Guessand and Ian Maatsen are on.

Emi Martinez's place could be in danger here!

Bizot makes another fantastic save to deny Ismail Yuksek from distance, not only saving it but beating the ball away from danger.

Now he's gone down. It looks as though he's sustained a leg injury, potentially cramp, and will need treatment.

He's okay to continue.