Aston Villa
- Aston Villa are winless in five games (two defeats, two draws and an EFL Cup exit on penalties) and currently sit 18th in the Premier League, and the Aston Villa vs Bologna F.C. prediction is that they will try to reverse their fortunes in this upcoming fixture.
- Unai Emery has had little time to stamp his identity on Villa, but the team’s current struggles in attack, especially the lack of output from Ollie Watkins, have increased the pressure on him to make it work in Europe, which adds more complexity to the Aston Villa vs Bologna F.C. prediction.
- Harvey Elliott, the creative spark signed on loan, could be the catalyst they need and his EFL Cup goal against Sunderland could be a sign of what’s to come.
- The visitors arrive with a squad that is mostly fit and confident from their cup victory, while Villa are missing a few key pieces, notably John McGinn, whose leadership and ability to control the center of the pitch could be missed.
Bologna
- Bologna are 11th in Serie A after four games, having taken six points from two one-goal victories in their last four Serie A contests, but the Aston Villa vs Bologna F.C. preview suggests they come into this match as a very resilient side.
- Vincenzo Italiano builds balanced, energetic, physical and athletic teams that are strong on the press and quick in transition.
- In Giovanni Fabbian and Tommaso Pobega they have a pair of midfielders that can both drive the ball forward and control the tempo, with Fabbian being the glue that held Bologna together on their run to the 2025 Coppa Italia title.
- Bologna have had mixed results in the opening months of Serie A, but their formline of two wins and two losses from their last four league games indicates they are a resilient team that can handle tough games, making the Aston Villa vs Bologna F.C. prediction even harder to call.
- Both of Bologna’s wins were sealed by Riccardo Orsolini, a talented forward who can be deadly from the penalty spot, while the Italian international will be a threat to Villa’s defense on Thursday.
Head-to-Head
Although Aston Villa won the last competitive clash between these two clubs in the 2024 UEFA Champions League , it’s a two-sided contest that has rarely been played, making the Aston Villa vs Bologna F.C. prediction very intriguing for fans and pundits alike.
Key Players
- Harvey Elliott, the creative spark signed on loan, could be the catalyst they need and his EFL Cup goal against Sunderland could be a sign of what’s to come.
- Cash’s overlapping runs and set-piece delivery will be crucial to Emery’s system and he can be a major factor in this contest, but Bologna will surely have a plan to contain the full-back.
- In Giovanni Fabbian and Tommaso Pobega they have a pair of midfielders that can both drive the ball forward and control the tempo, with Fabbian being the glue that held Bologna together on their run to the 2025 Coppa Italia title.
- Both of Bologna’s wins were sealed by Riccardo Orsolini, a talented forward who can be deadly from the penalty spot, while the Italian international will be a threat to Villa’s defense on Thursday.
- The visitors arrive with a squad that is mostly fit and confident from their cup victory, while Villa are missing a few key pieces, notably John McGinn, whose leadership and ability to control the center of the pitch could be missed.
Betting Insights
- The bookmakers make the Villans odds-on favorites at -121 with a draw coming in at +260 and Bologna priced as long shots, but our Aston Villa vs Bologna F.C. betting tips suggest looking beyond the surface odds due to the form of both teams.
- We’ll take the under 2.5 goals at -133 and both teams to score at -121, which is an excellent price considering Villa have scored once in their last three games and were trounced 3-0 at home by Crystal Palace in their latest.
Prediction
- Emery’s reputation and the home field advantage will have Villa as slight favorites here, but the odds don’t reflect the fact that Bologna are in much better shape to get a result. This Aston Villa vs Bologna F.C. prediction will depend on who can better impose their style for 90 minutes.
- We think that Bologna will come to Villa Park and look to frustrate the hosts while being a danger on the counter and from set pieces, where they excelled in 2025.
- Emery will try to dictate the game with his structured, vertical approach and high line while Italiano will look to play patiently in possession, rotating players into key positions and overloading the centre of the park before creating enough space in behind Villa’s line.
