Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Turning their attention back to Europa League action on Thursday night, Aston Villa will be looking to officially punch their semi-final ticket when they welcome Bologna to the Midlands.
Aston Villa
Starting with the hosts, while some in Aston Villa’s camp might have been frustrated over the weekend as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate away at Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa certainly laid down a major European marker on foreign soil last week. Getting their Europa League quarter-final adventure underway with a stellar 3-1 victory over in Italy, Unai Emery’s men are widely regarded as a standout title contender this year. Heading into March’s international break with a routine 2-0 victory at home against West Ham, the one-time Arsenal boss has also seen his squad register consecutive wins at Villa Park for the first time since the start of January. Extending on their European charge last month thanks to a thumping 4-0 aggregate win against Lille, Thursday’s hosts will be confident of making another Europa League statement.
Aston Villa Team News
Undergoing knee surgery back in January, Aston Villa have confirmed that French international Boubacar Kamara will miss the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign. Likewise, once again missing out against Nottingham Forest over the weekend, Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho remains a doubt on Thursday night.
Despite failing to find the net since the end of February, new recruit and former Chelsea youngster Tammy Abraham could be handed a chance to lead the line. Left as an unused substitute at the City Ground on Sunday afternoon, England international Ezri Konsa should be handed a full recall at the back.
Bologna
As for the visitors, while Bologna might have claimed an immediate domestic boost over the weekend as they clinched a 2-0 victory at home against Lecce, the Greyhounds find their Europa League dreams hanging by a thread. Missing out on the chance to claim an essential first-leg advantage at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara as they eventually fell to that 3-1 loss, Vincenzo Italiano’s side are seeking a real European miracle when they travel to Villa Park in midweek. However, extending on their Europa League adventure last month as they edged past domestic foes and Italian heavyweights Roma, Bologna have continued to shine on their travels. In fact, on what has become a sensational run, the former Fiorentina boss has remarkably seen his squad win all of their previous seven consecutive showdowns outside of Emilia-Romagna.
Bologna Team News
Shown a costly first-half booking on home soil last week, Colombian international Jhon Lucumi will serve a one-match suspension here. However, missing out in Emilia-Romagna after serving his own respective European ban, Czech starlet Martin Vitik will return to Bologna’s travelling squad.
Including a consolation strike in Emilia-Romagna last week, Jonathan Rowe has registered six direct goal contributions in his last seven appearances across all competitions (four goals, two assists) and will play a leading role in the final third.
Aston Villa vs Bologna Key Factors to Consider
- When Aston Villa and Bologna met for their first-leg showdown last week, Emery’s men stormed their way to a 3-1 victory in Emilia-Romagna.
- Villa have registered consecutive wins in front of their own supporters for the first time since the start of January.
- Bologna have remarkably won all of their last seven consecutive matchups on the road across all competitions.
- The Greyhounds have seen their last three Europa League appearances produce 12 goals at both ends of the pitch.
- Including a consolation strike in Emilia-Romagna last week, Jonathan Rowe has registered six direct goal contributions in his last seven appearances across all competitions (four goals, two assists).
Conclusion
While Aston Villa might have stormed their way to a thumping 3-1 victory when they travelled over to Italy last week, Emery’s side should be concerned by Bologna’s remarkable success on the road. Collecting a famous Europa League scalp last month as they send domestic rivals Roma packing, the Greyhounds have won all of their previous seven straight showdowns away from Emilia-Romagna. Despite being sat firmly in the driving seat to punch their semi-final ticket on Thursday night, Bologna will be confident of asking some serious questions.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
