Overview
Entering the European quarter-finals for the third consecutive season, Aston Villa started somewhat slowly in the first leg last week. However, they are still brave enough to overcome difficult times and create a significant advantage.
After more than two weeks of not playing officially, Villa was somewhat lucky at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, when Bologna was denied a goal for offside and once the ball hit the crossbar. However, after the initial shaky minutes, the English representative gradually controlled the game.
Ezri Konsa opened the score in a surprise situation, before Ollie Watkins scored a double, interspersed with a beautiful goal by Jonathan Rowe on the red and blue team's side. The late goal helped Villa re-establish a two-goal lead, thereby putting them in an extremely favorable position before the second leg.
Under the guidance of Unai Emery - who has been 4 times champion and is famous for his ability to direct troops in the knockout rounds - Villa has won 8 consecutive matches in UEFA's second division arena since the stumble against Go Ahead Eagles at Deventer.
Last weekend, the 1982 European champions faced Nottingham Forest in the Premier League and drew in a dramatic match. Morgan Rogers shot into the crossbar, and Watkins also missed good chances, but Villa still maintained their position in the top 5 and is full of opportunities to win a Champions League spot.
Emery's team can completely rematch Forest in the Europa League semi-finals, but in the immediate future they need to complete their task against Bologna.
History is favoring Villa. They have won 15/17 of their most recent home matches in the European arena (including 8 consecutive matches), and also score an average of 2 goals/match at Villa Park this season.
Meanwhile, Bologna needs a miracle if they want to advance, especially when they have failed twice in Birmingham since last season.
After three encounters, Villa scored 6 goals compared to only 1 goal for Rossoblu, although it must be admitted that Vincenzo Italiano's team played much better when playing at home.
Since the 0-1 defeat at Villa Park in September, Bologna has won all 5 away matches in the European arena. However, history is not on their side.
Only 1 of the 67 teams that have lost the first leg of the Europa League with a difference of at least 2 goals at home can reverse the score. And that is Sevilla against Real Betis in 2014.
After the 11-match unbeaten streak in Europe ended, the last-time Coppa Italy champion is facing the risk of ending the season in an undesirable way.
In Serie A, Bologna is currently 9 points behind AS Roma in the top 6 race, despite just winning 2-0 against Lecce last weekend. With nothing left to lose, Bologna will definitely put all their strength into a comeback in England - where they have lost 5 matches since their only victory in 1967.
Personnel situation
Before the match started, Emiliano Martinez suddenly withdrew, making the goalkeeper problem of Aston Villa unpredictable. It is still unclear whether reserve goalkeeper Marco Bizot will continue to be given the opportunity to start.
In defense, Tyrone Mings is having physical problems, while Boubacar Kamara and Jadon Sancho are still unable to return due to injury. Midfielder Ross Barkley is also absent due to not being registered in the UEFA list.
These shortcomings are likely to open up a starting opportunity for Douglas Luiz or Emi Buendia in Emery's squad.
On Bologna's side, the attack still maintains stable performance when Federico Bernardeschi and Jonathan Rowe have 5 and 4 goals respectively. Notably, Rowe is also the leading player in the number of successful dribbles in the knockout rounds this season.
Expected lineup:
Aston Villa: Bizot, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Onana, Tielemans, McGinn, Buendia, Rogers, Watkins.
Bologna: Ravaglia, Mario, Vitik, Heggem, Miranda, Moro, Freuler, Bernardeschi, Ferguson, Rowe, Castro.
The match between Aston Villa and Bologna takes place at 2:00 a.m. on April 17 (Vietnam time).
