AS Roma and Aston Villa fans react as Malen scores on impressive 0-2 Serie A debut

TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Donyell Malen of AS Roma celebrates a goal during the Serie A match between Torino FC and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on January 18, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Donyell Malen scored a goal on his Roma debut against Torino on Sunday, sparking social media reactions from Giallorossi and Aston Villa fans.

Dutch striker Malen took just 26 minutes to score his first goal for Roma, and he did so just two days after completing an initial loan move with an option to buy from Aston Villa.

Malen’s goal on Roma debut

Roma fans already in love with Malen

Based on comments from Roma fans on X social media, the 27-year-old seems to have already conquered his new supporters, most of whom had spent the first part of the season complaining about Evan Ferguson and Artem Dovbyk.

Both strikers are currently injured, so Malen was immediately given a chance by Gian Piero Gasperini, and it’s fair to say the striker didn’t waste it.

Roma fans picked Malen as their man of the match at the Stadio Grande Torino on Sunday. As reported by Sofascore, besides his goal, the Aston Villa loanee contributed to Roma’s victory with four total shots, one big chance created and 12 accurate passes from 15.

Below are some of the best social media comments to his impressive debut for Roma.

Come vedo Malen dopo 6 mesi di Dovbyk e Ferguson pic.twitter.com/9mQL1ZxRdE

— Baloo (@BalooAsr) January 18, 2026

👑 | Malen is your player of the match against Torino! 🟨🟥#ASRoma #TorinoRoma pic.twitter.com/JOrEXEGtbz

— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) January 19, 2026

In modern football, it’s trendy to be hyper tactical but I feel sometimes it can make people miss the basic fundamentals of the game.

Donyell Malen may not be the exact “profile of striker” that we want but he is a goalscorer.

There will always be a place for that 🎯 #avfc pic.twitter.com/NXdCnt8dc8

— 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚 (@TotalVilla_) January 19, 2026

Malen goal for Roma
Rashford goal for Barca
Asensio assist for Fenerbahçe

all in one day

What once was 😪 pic.twitter.com/f16EN1frh6

— Gabriella (@gabsavfc_) January 18, 2026

Nearly time to bring Malen on… pic.twitter.com/EMZ9FyAudR

— Villa MrM (@AVFCMarkM) January 18, 2026

Watching that half of football and then seeing Malen has scored on his Roma debut… #avfc pic.twitter.com/ZJw2ha0qcU

— The Morning Son (@Chris_AVFC1983) January 18, 2026

Aston Villa following In the footsteps of Manchester United… Birds of same feather 😂😂😂🤣🤣

— Bright.I ❤️North London❤️ (@BBkelly19) January 18, 2026

That’s the whole truth.

They did some awful business by selling Malen, which is bagging the same goals at Roma.

Now they need a proper striker! They better sign Mateta to have any chance

— AFC KONDIWA 🔴⚪ #AFC #COYG (@KondiwaC580) January 19, 2026

Donyell #Malen and his composure in the penalty area is something Roma needs.🔥

Dybala-Malen is a fantastic combination. Connected.👏#ASRoma #Dybala #TorinoRoma
pic.twitter.com/UxEoCHxGmn

— AS Roma zprávy 🇨🇿🐺 (@asromacesky) January 19, 2026

malen hive will shine anywhere, villa messed up so badly lmfao

roma struck gold – dybala and soule behind malen for the second half of the season are you madddd https://t.co/W6h5HncThF

— Manveer (@__Manveer) January 18, 2026

Malen scores for Roma first match, we should have got that guy, bargain at £27m #nffc

— FFTV Crypto (@Jesusnumba1fan) January 18, 2026