Aston Villa vs Bologna predictions and betting tips – Emery’s side eye semis

Aston Villa are 3-1 up on aggregate ahead of the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Bologna, who need to produce a big performance to turn this tie around.

Will Villa book their place in the last four of the competition on Thursday night, or can Bologna do something special in the West Midlands?

• Aston Villa to win – 8/11 with Tote
• Under 2.5 goals – 11/10 with Midnite
• Ollie Watkisn to score any time – 11/10 with Casimba

Aston Villa vs Bologna odds

Find the latest Aston Villa vs Bologna betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Aston Villa vs Bologna predictions

Aston Villa are on the cusp of reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League. Even a one-goal defeat by Bologna at Villa Park on Thursday night would be enough to send them through.

That is because Villa triumphed 3-1 in the first leg of this last-eight tie. Ezri Konsa opened the scoring shortly before half-time in Italy, heading home from a Youri Tielemans corner.

Ollie Watkins doubled their lead early in the second period, and although Bologna halved the deficit in the 90th minute, Watkins struck again in stoppage time to restore Villa’s two-goal advantage.

In truth, Unai Emery’s men rode their luck at times at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara. Bologna had their chances, but their profligacy in front of goal proved costly.

Villa improved after the break and were worthy winners in the end. They showed the sort of ruthless edge that their opponents lacked.

Emery certainly liked much of what he saw, but he was at pains to warn his players that the job is not yet complete.

“It is a really fantastic result. Maybe in the first half we were a little hesitant. We were not brilliant, but we were focused,” Emery reflected afterwards. 

“We knew set-pieces should be a way to get something. The second half was completely different and we started fantastically. For 20 or 30 minutes, we dominated. Even after Bologna scored, the way we reacted was fantastic. 

“My message inside the dressing room is to keep respecting what Bologna can do in the second leg.”

Emery is a Europa League specialist having won this competition no fewer than four times before. As well as his three successes with Sevilla and one with Villarreal, he was a runner-up with Arsenal in 2020/21.

The Europa League provides a route into the Champions League, but it increasingly looks like Villa will not need it for that purpose. After a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest on Sunday, they hold a seven-point lead over Chelsea in the race for a top-five finish in the Premier League.

Rather, the Europa League is important because it gives Villa the chance to end a 30-year trophy drought. If Emery can be the manager to add another piece of silverware to the Villa Park cabinet, his legendary status will be assured.

Aston Villa vs Bologna betting tips

Aston Villa are in pole position to advance to the semi-finals of the Europa League ahead of Bologna.

Aston Villa to progress

Overall, Bologna have a pretty good record in the Europa League this season. In a total of 13 matches, they have only lost twice.

The problem is, both of those defeats have come at the hands of Aston Villa: once in the league phase and then again in the first leg of this quarter-final.

Villa appear to have Bologna’s number, and that third goal for Emery’s side last week was a killer for Vincenzo Italiano’s men.

While a draw or even a narrow loss would send Villa into the semis, the home team will be targeting another victory on Thursday. With their fans behind them, we expect them to get it.

Back Aston Villa to win at 8/11 with Tote

Villa will manage game

While Aston Villa will want to win the second leg, there is no need for them to take undue risks.

Bologna will need to throw caution to the wind at some point, so Villa will attempt to pick them off when they do.

Provided Emery’s team are disciplined defensively, goals are likely to be at a premium in this one.

Just take a look at Villa’s recent matches in front of their own supporters. In six of the last seven fixtures at Villa Park across the Premier League and Europa League, there have been under 2.5 goals.

Choose under 2.5 goals at 11/10 with Midnite

Watkins on target?

Ollie Watkins has not been at his best for much of this term, as the man himself admitted last week.

“The toughest moment for me has probably been, throughout all my career, I would say this season,” he said.

Watkins struck twice against Bologna away from home, however, and he will now be eyeing at least one more goal in the return fixture.

The England international still has the backing of Emery, who looks set to start him again on Thursday. Watkins will be determined to repay his manager’s faith in him.

Select Ollie Watkins to score any time 11/10 with Casimba

Aston Villa vs Bologna predicted lineups

• Aston Villa expected lineup: Bizot; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Onana, Tielemans; McGinn, Buendia, Bailey; Watkins.
• Bologna expected lineup: Ravaglia; Mario, Vitik, Heggem, Miranda; Ferguson, Freuler, Pobega; Bernadeschi, Castro, Rowe.

Where to watch Aston Villa vs Bologna

• Location: Villa Park, Birmingham, England.
• Date and time: Thursday 16th April, 8pm.
• How to watch: TNT Sports 2.

More Europa League predictions

We have plenty more Europa League predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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