Aston Villa Are 3-1 Up Against Bologna With A Place In The UEL Semi-Final Up For Grabs
Villa Park | Europa League QF 2nd Leg (3-1) | Thursday April 16 | 8pm
Ahead of Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final 2nd leg clash at Villa Park, BetVictor News has the Aston Villa vs Bologna preview, prediction, H2H record, team news, latest odds, betting tips and more.
Aston Villa Vs Bologna Preview
Having cruised to a brilliant 3-1 victory last week, Aston Villa find themselves on the cusp of a second European semi-final in the last three seasons. Ezri Konsa and a brace from Ollie Watkins gave Unai Emery’s side a commanding 1st leg lead to take back to Birmingham.
As it stands, Villa are the 5/4 favourites in the Europa League outright betting market. Another strong showing on home turf will only enhance their prospects of going all the way. If the Villans do progress, they’ll face the winner of Nottingham Forest and Porto in the semis.
With Bologna very much up against it, the Serie A side will need to produce a herculean performance to have any chance of making the last four. Vincenzo Italiano’s men started well in the reverse fixture but Jonathan Rowe’s goal is all the Rossoblu had to show for their efforts.
Ultimately, the gulf in class became evident. Interestingly, Bologna have won five of their six away games in Europe’s secondary club competition. The only side to beat them? Aston Villa in the league phase back in September (1-0).
Aston Villa Vs Bologna H2H Record
The overall Aston Villa vs Bologna H2H record is extremely one-sided. The teams have only shared the pitch on three occasions and Villa have won every time. They first met in the 2024-25 Champions League league phase whereby the Villans won 2-0. John McGinn and Jhon Duran netted at Villa Park.
Earlier this season, McGinn netted again to clinch the 1-0 league phase victory on MD1. Last week’s win completed the 100% win record for the Premier League side and the aggregate score currently stands at 6-1. Another reason why the Aston Villa vs Bologna odds strongly favour another win for Unai Emery’s side.
- 09/04/2026 – Bologna 1-3 Aston Villa
- 25/09/2025 – Aston Villa 1-0 Bologna
- 22/10/2024 – Aston Villa 2-0 Bologna
Aston Villa Vs Bologna Team News
Aston Villa’s Marco Bizot is very much on standby if goalkeeper Emi Martinez is unable to feature. The Argentine World Cup winner pulled out of the Nottingham Forest draw just before kick-off on April 12. Elsewhere, Jadon Sancho and Boubacar Kamara are injured and Ross Barkley is ineligible.
Meanwhile, Bologna will be without star defender Jhon Lucumi. The Colombian centre-back is suspended but Martin Vitik – who sat on the naughty step last week – is available having served his ban in the 1st leg. UK-born pair Jonathan Rowe and Lewis Ferguson are primed to start at Villa Park.
Aston Villa last six in all comps:
DWWWWL
Bologna’s last six in all comps:
WLWLWW
Aston Villa Vs Bologna Predicted Lineups
Aston Villa predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):
Bizot; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Onana, Tielemans; McGinn, Buendia, Rogers; Watkins
Bologna predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):
Ravaglia; Mario, Vitik, Heggem, Miranda; Moro, Freuler; Bernardeschi, Ferguson, Rowe; Castro
Aston Villa Vs Bologna TV Channel And Live Stream (UK)
Aston Villa vs Bologna is available to watch live in the UK on TNT Sports 2 with live streaming available via HBO Max. Coverage begins at 7pm ahead of an 8pm kick-off. For those looking to tune in on radio, BBC Five Live and TalkSPORT have got you covered.
- *A valid TV license and TNT Sports subscription is required to watch live in the UK
Aston Villa Vs Bologna Betting Angles
Key Match Stats
- Aston Villa have beaten Bologna in all three of their previous meetings
- Bologna have failed to score in their two visits to Villa Park
- The Aston Villa vs Bologna odds strongly favour another Villa win – the Italians have lost on their last five trips to England
Top Betting Angles for Aston Villa vs Bologna
- BTTS: Bologna have scored in all 19 away games since the 1-0 loss to Aston Villa in September. Unai Emery’s side have netted in every home UEL game this term. Currently 7/10 for ‘yes.’
- Anytime scorer: John McGinn (10/3) and Ollie Watkins (6/4) carry weight. Especially as both are aiming to become the first Villans to hit double figures in European football
- Aston Villa -1: Owing to Aston Villa’s dominance on home soil in the UEL, the -1 handicap provides value at 6/4
Aston Villa vs Bologna Prediction
Our Aston Villa vs Bologna preview points to one outcome when it comes down to the score prediction. And with four-time Europa League winner at the helm in the form of Unai Emery, Villa should progress to the last four. The overwhelming 1st leg advantage coupled with their two previous home wins over Bologna in the last 18 months means it’s hard to envisage anything but a Villans victory.
That’s not to say that the Rossoblu won’t give it a good go, however. But the gulf in quality will likely be evident and if it is to be the end of the road, Vincenzo Italiano and his charges can hold their heads up high.
Prediction: Aston Villa 3-1 Bologna
If you intend to bet on Aston Villa vs Bologna then please take the time to read through BetVictor’s safe and responsible gambling page which will provide good advice on how to stay in control when betting on football.
Any betting decisions should be made responsibly and there are no guarantees when it comes to match outcomes. All odds correct as of 1:40pm April 15, 2026.
