Mason Greenwood suffered a miserable return to English football as his Fenerbahce team were swept aside 6-0 by a rampant Aston Villa side in the Champions League.
The 25-year-old was playing his first match in this country since his suspension by Manchester United in January 2022, facing taunts from home fans who thoroughly enjoyed an electric Villa Park display.
Johan Manzambi marked his 21st birthday with a goal before Nicolas Jackson scored a double to give Villa a 3-0 lead at half-time.
A second-half brace from Ross Barkley and a late finish by Tammy Abraham completed the rout over the Turkish side, delighting the Prince of Wales, who gave his royal seal of approval from the stands.
It was Villa’s largest ever European victory and provided their first home win of the season. The result leaves them strongly positioned in the early Champions League standings with two victories from two, ahead of an inviting home game against Viking next week.
Villa supporters ensured Greenwood was given a hostile reception on his return to playing in England after four-and-a-half years.
The winger’s last appearance for United came in January 2022, eight days before he was charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
He denied the charges, and the CPS discontinued the case in February 2023.
The Villa crowd targeted him with persistent boos and derogatory chants during the opening period.
The home support soon turned their attention to celebrating as Villa’s energetic start yielded a 12th-minute opener.
John McGinn’s corner landed for birthday boy Manzambi, whose shot took a deflection off Milan Skriniar and went in.
Fenerbahce offered a bright response with chances to equalise, but Vedat Muriqi was twice thwarted by Zion Suzuki, who also dealt with a weak strike by Greenwood.
Villa doubled their advantage in the 31st minute when Jackson got off the mark.
Boubacar Kamara dispossessed the opposition high up the pitch and found the former Chelsea striker, who drilled a low shot into the bottom corner from 18 yards.
The Turkish side remained a constant threat and ought to have scored soon after, but Oguz Aydin crashed his shot against the crossbar after breaking behind the Villa defence.
Instead, Villa were left celebrating once more as they made it 3-0 in the 39th minute.
McGinn reclaimed possession and Barkley set up Jackson, who placed his finish into a similar spot to his first goal.
Villa had to wait until the 68th minute to score a fourth, though Jackson – who was on a hat-trick – did not take the penalty after Manzambi was fouled by Ismail Yuksek.
Instead, Barkley converted from the spot and four minutes later he scored again as a deflected strike from the edge of the area wrong-footed former Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson.
Abraham completed an emphatic victory in the 90th minute, turning the ball in from close range after fine work by winger Alysson.