Jadon Sancho netted his maiden goal in Aston Villa colours on Thursday evening, steering Unai Emery's side to a hard-fought 1-0 triumph against Fenerbahce in Istanbul.
The victory ensures Villa's passage into the Europa League knockout rounds, cementing a top-eight position with one league phase fixture still remaining.
It represents a remarkable European campaign for the Midlands club, who have now claimed six victories from their seven continental outings this season.
The result also brought an end to Fenerbahce's previously unblemished home record, with Villa silencing the vociferous crowd at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium through their disciplined display.
Jadon Sancho, on loan from Manchester United, scored the winner for Aston Villa`
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Matty Cash delivered the decisive cross in the 25th minute, his delivery taking a deflection off Ismail Yuksek's head before finding Sancho perfectly positioned inside the six-yard area.
The Manchester United loanee guided his header beyond goalkeeper Ederson to register his first strike since netting in last season's Conference League final for Chelsea.
Villa ought to have extended their advantage before the interval.
Morgan Rogers threaded a pass through to Sancho, who manoeuvred past Ederson with neat footwork, only for Fenerbahce captain Milan Skriniar to produce a remarkable goal-line clearance to preserve the single-goal deficit.
Aston Villa ground out a hard-fought win in Istanbul to give themselves a major boost in their hunt for the Europa League trophy
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Marco Bizot proved instrumental in preserving Villa's slender advantage, producing eight saves throughout the contest whilst deputising for the absent Emi Martinez.
The Dutch goalkeeper was particularly impressive in denying substitute Talisca on multiple occasions, including one point-blank stop that kept the visitors ahead.
Both sides experienced the frustration of seeing goals chalked off by the video assistant referee.
Morgan Rogers bundled the ball over the line for what appeared to be Villa's second, only for Sancho to be adjudged marginally offside in the build-up.
Fenerbahce believed they had salvaged a point in the 75th minute when Kerem Akturkoglu converted, but former Villa striker Jhon Duran was ruled offside during the move.
Kerem Akturkoglu's goal was ruled out after former Villa star Jhon Duran was offside in the build-up
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The triumph carried additional significance as it marked Emery's centenary match at the helm in this competition, with the Spaniard having previously lifted the trophy on four occasions.
Villa now sit level on points with Lyon at the summit of the league phase standings, with their final group fixture against RB Salzburg next week rendered largely ceremonial.
Cash struck the woodwork with a long-range effort during the second period, whilst Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia also went close as the visitors dominated proceedings.
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The Midlands outfit will now avoid the play-off round, progressing directly to the last sixteen where their continental ambitions remain firmly intact.