Go Ahead Shock Aston Villa as Buendía Misses Late Penalty

Published: 24 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

In one of the most remarkable upsets of this Europa League season, Dutch minnows Go Ahead Eagles stunned Aston Villa in Deventer, handing Unai Emery’s side a humbling defeat. What began as a promising evening for Villa quickly turned into a night of frustration and disbelief as Mathis Suray and Mats Deijl scored either side of half-time to overturn an early lead. A missed penalty from Emiliano Buendía late in the match added to Villa’s woes and cemented one of the most memorable moments in Go Ahead Eagles’ history.

Villa appeared to be on track for a comfortable victory when Evann Guessand broke the deadlock in the fourth minute. Buendía delivered a precise cross, intended for Jadon Sancho, but goalkeeper Jari De Busser managed only a partial save, directing the ball into the path of Guessand, who calmly slotted it into an empty net. The goal marked Guessand’s first for Villa following his £25 million summer transfer from Nice and seemed to signal the start of an easy night for the visitors.

Early opportunities continued to pile up for Villa. Ollie Watkins saw a golden chance blocked by De Busser, and Sancho’s attempt after weaving into the penalty area was also saved. Villa dominated possession and appeared to have full control of the match, yet their inability to convert these chances would soon prove costly. Moments before the half-hour mark, Buendía again set up Guessand, only for the French forward to hesitate, allowing De Busser to block his effort. Villa’s clinical edge seemed absent, leaving the door open for an upset.

Against the run of play, Go Ahead Eagles struck just before half-time. A floated free-kick found Suray, whose strike took a deflection and looped beautifully into the top corner, leaving Emiliano Martínez helpless. The stadium erupted, and suddenly the Dutch side had drawn level in front of their passionate home crowd. This early momentum swung firmly in the Eagles’ favor, energizing the team and adding a new layer of anxiety for Villa.

The comeback was completed 15 minutes into the second half when Deijl controlled a cross from Joris Kramer with his chest and poked the ball past Martínez to give Go Ahead Eagles the lead. Villa responded with a flurry of substitutions, introducing Morgan Rogers, Donyell Malen, and John McGinn in an effort to regain control. Rogers came close with a cross-shot that struck the woodwork, signaling Villa’s growing desperation.

Their best chance to level came in the 77th minute when Dean James handled in the area, awarding Villa a penalty. However, in challenging wind and rain conditions, Buendía sent his shot soaring over the bar, compounding Villa’s misfortune. Subsequent efforts from Rogers and others failed to breach the Eagles’ resilient defense, and Go Ahead Eagles celebrated an unforgettable victory as fireworks illuminated De Adelaarshorst.

The missed penalty added to a troubling trend for Villa, marking the sixth spot-kick they have squandered in the past 12 months. Ollie Watkins missed against Bologna earlier this season, and the club also fell short in a Carabao Cup penalty shootout against Brentford last month. Emery remained measured in his response, emphasizing the importance of responsibility and clinical finishing from his designated takers. “Today the responsibility was for Emiliano Buendía. Normally he has good numbers shooting penalties, but he missed. Of course, something can happen, and we will try to get more clinical in penalty situations than we have in previous matches,” Emery explained.

Despite the loss, Villa remains in contention to advance through the league phase of the Europa League. They face a challenging fixture against Maccabi Tel-Aviv next, a match that has been politically charged this season, and then a Premier League clash with in-form Manchester City on Sunday. Emery’s team will need to regroup quickly if they are to sustain their ambitions both domestically and in Europe.

For Go Ahead Eagles, this victory represents a historic achievement. The club, based in Deventer about 60 miles east of Amsterdam, was playing in the Dutch second tier as recently as 2021. The 10,000-capacity De Adelaarshorst erupted in celebration as the Eagles completed what is arguably the biggest result in their history. Deijl, who scored the winning goal, reflected on the magnitude of the triumph: “The last few years we’ve had some big wins, especially the cup final, but no one expected us to perform like this in Europe. We are very happy, and this might be the biggest win for the club so far.”

The result will undoubtedly be remembered for the drama of Villa’s missed opportunities and the resilience of the Eagles’ squad. It was a night that highlighted the unpredictability of European competition, where underdogs can rise to the occasion and giants can falter. The match serves as a reminder that despite reputation and resources, football remains a game of moments, concentration, and execution under pressure.

Buendía’s missed penalty in particular will be a talking point in the coming days. His effort reflected not just the difficult weather conditions but also the psychological weight of recent failures from the spot for Villa. Emery’s comments after the match emphasized learning and accountability, insisting that his squad’s designated penalty takers will continue to work on improving their conversion rates.

For Go Ahead Eagles, the win provides a major boost in confidence and belief. Their qualification for the Europa League through last season’s Dutch Cup victory was already a significant achievement, but overcoming a well-resourced Premier League side on their home turf elevates the club’s profile considerably. Fans, players, and management alike will savor the moment for years to come, as the victory represents a blend of strategic discipline, home-ground advantage, and the determination to seize the rare opportunity against a traditionally stronger opponent.

The match also served as a stark reminder for Villa that European competitions demand focus and efficiency. Dominating possession and creating chances are never sufficient if they cannot be converted into goals. Emery will now look to adjust his tactics and ensure that his players regain composure and confidence in the weeks ahead.

In the end, Deventer witnessed one of those rare occasions when the script of football is rewritten. The smaller club emerged triumphant, the fans celebrated ecstatically, and Aston Villa’s Europa League campaign experienced a humbling, unforgettable setback. It is a game that will live long in the memories of all involved, a testament to the excitement, unpredictability, and drama that European football consistently delivers.