Jadon Sancho scored his first Aston Villa goal as they beat Fenerbahce and qualified for the Europa League last 16 with a game to spare.

Sancho latched on to Matty Cash's deflected cross and nodded the ball beyond Fenerbahce keeper Ederson from close range in the 25th minute.

Villa's six wins from their opening seven games means they sit third in the competition's league phase table, and can no longer drop out of the top eight.

But the visitors needed a video assistant referee intervention to assure their victory in Istanbul.

With 15 minutes remaining, Kerem Akturkoglu thought he had buried an equaliser, but it was ruled out for an offside in the build-up against former Villa striker Jhon Duran.

Villa, who made six changes from Sunday's Premier League loss at home to Everton, had most of the chances until Fenerbahce pushed in the closing stages.

Sancho should have doubled his tally in the 42nd minute when he rounded Ederson after being played through by Morgan Rogers, but his eventual shot was blocked on the goalline by Fenerbahce captain Milan Skriniar.

Rogers did find the net on the follow-up but the ball had hit the referee before reaching the forward and possession was called dead.

He had another strike disallowed in the second half as team-mate Sancho timed his run too early before squaring the ball for a tap-in.

Moments earlier, full-back Cash had struck the far post with a dipping shot from 25 yards out.

Midway through the second half, Villa keeper Marco Bizot did well to dive to his right and deny substitute Talisca, who had gone through on goal.

Sancho was playing in his 19th game for Villa, having joined on loan from Manchester United in September.

The 25-year-old has only started two Premier League games this season, but in the Europa League he has been in Villa's starting line-up for each of their past five matches.

Along with Rogers, he was Villa's most creative player in a hostile atmosphere in Turkey. He constantly popped up in Fenerbahce's box and was unfortunate not to add a second goal and an assist to his tally.

Sancho's United contract expires next summer but they have an option to extend it.

He last played for United in August 2024 and has spent the past 18 months on loan at Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea.

Villa boss Unai Emery - a record four-time Europa League winner, managing his 100th game in the competition - gave Tyrone Mings his first start since November, the defender having been sidelined with a thigh injury.

Amadou Onana, who has been out with a hamstring issue, was given a late cameo off the bench.

Emery also appeared to be unhappy with his midfielder Youri Tielemans, gesticulating to the Belgian as he was substituted off in the 92nd minute.

Aston Villa can now rest their players in their final league phase game at home to Red Bull Salzburg on Thursday, 29 January.

The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw takes place at 12:00 GMT on Friday, 30 January.

Villa's next game is at Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday (14:00 GMT).