Bologna F.C. (home)
- Bologna are having a good season overall, hovering around eighth place in Serie A while still very much in the mix for a top-half finish, but their real story is the club’s best European run in decades.
- They have been in superb form in Europe recently, but haven’t been as consistent in Italy.
- They are a side that play with a flank orientation and like to play at speed in transition, while they are adept at pressing the opposing team with a high-pressing 4-3-3 system that has worked well in knockout action.
Aston Villa (away)
- Villa are very much the opposite of Bologna in that they are a structure-first side that likes to control the ball and dominate possession, using their trigger man to press in numbers and then transitioning with pace.
- John McGinn will be the fulcrum of Villa’s play on Thursday, just as he was when he scored the decisive goal in the last European meeting between the clubs, a 1-0 Villa win in 2025/26’s league phase.
- Emery has been a master of the European game and his side will be well-drilled for this clash, while they have been solid on the road in this competition with clean-sheet wins in both Europa League Round of 16 legs against Lille and a 2-0 Premier League victory over West Ham.
Head-to-Head
Aston Villa have won each of their last two European games against Bologna F.C., including their 1-0 win in the UEFA Europa League 2025-2026 league phase and 2-0 victory in the 2024-25 Champions League group stage.
Key Players
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Key players to watch:
- Aston Villa
- Ollie Watkins
- John McGinn
- Emiliano Martínez
- Bologna
- Federico Bernardeschi
- Dallinga
- Orsolini
- Nicolò Cambiaghi
- Jonathan Rowe
- Aston Villa
Betting Insights
- Villa are narrow favourites at 2.28, Bologna are 3.10 and the draw is 3.25.
- We’re taking Both teams to score - Yes at 1.73 for the main bet.
Prediction
- We’re going for a draw on the double chance bet, but Villa’s experience and defensive solidity should see them edge a tight game.
- Main bet: Both teams to score - Yes at 1.73.
