Aston Villa vs Bologna Prediction, Betting Pick, Latest Europa League Odds for Thursday, April 16th
With a commanding advantage from the first leg, Aston Villa prepare to host Bologna in the Europa League quarter-final second leg at Villa Park on Thursday, 16th April 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 3:00 PM EDT. The hosts arrive with one foot firmly in the semi-finals, while the visitors face an uphill battle to overturn a significant deficit.
OC Staff - April 16, 2026, 1:30 PM EDT
3 Minute ReadAston Villa vs Bologna: Lineups, Team News and Prediction
With a commanding advantage from the first leg, Aston Villa prepare to host Bologna in the Europa League quarter-final second leg at Villa Park on Thursday, 16th April 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 3:00 PM EDT. The hosts arrive with one foot firmly in the semi-finals, while the visitors face an uphill battle to overturn a significant deficit.
Aston Villa vs Bologna Form
Aston Villa's most recent outing saw them secure a 1-1 draw away to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. Prior to that, they suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Bologna in the first leg of this very tie, followed by a 2-1 loss against Elche in a club friendly. However, their competitive form before these results was more promising, with a 2-0 home victory against West Ham in the Premier League and a crucial 2-0 win over Lille in the Europa League. Their run also includes a 3-1 away loss to Manchester United. Overall, the Villans' competitive form has been mixed, with two wins, one draw, and two losses in their last five competitive fixtures.
Bologna, on the other hand, enter this fixture in robust form despite their first-leg defeat. Their last match was a comfortable 2-0 home win against Lecce in Serie A. Before that, they secured a thrilling 2-1 away victory over Cremonese and a solid 2-0 home win against Lazio in Serie A. Their European journey saw them overcome Roma in a dramatic 4-3 extra-time victory away from home, and they also claimed a 1-0 away win against Sassuolo in Serie A. The Rossoblù have won five of their last six matches across all competitions, showcasing their resilience and attacking prowess.
Aston Villa vs Bologna Head to Head
The most recent encounter between these two sides was the first leg of this Europa League quarter-final on April 9, 2026, where Aston Villa secured a dominant 3-1 away victory against Bologna.
This upcoming match marks only the fourth competitive meeting between Aston Villa and Bologna. In their limited history, Aston Villa have held a clear advantage, winning all three previous encounters. Beyond the recent 3-1 victory, the Villans also recorded a 1-0 home win against Bologna earlier in this Europa League season and a 2-0 home win in the Champions League back in October 2024. Aston Villa have won their last 3 matches against Bologna in all competitions, underlining their historical dominance in this fixture.
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Aston Villa vs Bologna Odds
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Aston Villa vs Bologna Probable Lineups
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1):
- Goalkeeper: M. Bizot
- Defenders: L. Digne (DL), P. Torres (DC), E. Konsa (DC), M. Cash (DR)
- Midfielders: A. Onana (DM), Y. Tielemans (DM), E. Buendía (AML), M. Rogers (AMC), J. McGinn (AMR)
- Forward: O. Watkins (FC)
Bologna (4-3-3):
- Goalkeeper: F. Ravaglia
- Defenders: J. Miranda (DL), N. Casale (DC), T. Heggem (DC), J. Mário (DR)
- Midfielders: L. Ferguson (MC), R. Freuler (DM), T. Pobega (MC)
- Forwards: J. Rowe (FL), S. Castro (FC), F. Bernardeschi (FR)
Aston Villa vs Bologna Team News
Aston Villa's preparations have been hindered by a few key absences. Jadon Sancho, Boubacar Kamara, and Alysson Edward are all unavailable due to injury. Additionally, Emiliano Martínez remains a doubt after missing the weekend's fixture. His potential absence could be significant, given Villa goalkeepers have made a competition-high 44 saves, highlighting their crucial role. Despite these concerns, Ollie Watkins continues to lead the line with authority, his goal-scoring prowess being a vital asset. John McGinn remains central to their creative and tactical setup, while Morgan Rogers and Emiliano Buendía will provide support.
Bologna face a more challenging situation with several players missing. Jhon Lucumí is suspended, a notable blow to their defensive options. Thijs Dallinga, Charalampos Lykogiannis, Lukasz Skorupski, Benja Domínguez, and Eivind Helland are all sidelined with injuries, weakening the Rossoblù's spine and depth. Despite these setbacks, Bologna's attacking numbers remain impressive, having attempted a competition-high 243 shots. Federico Bernardeschi, their leading scorer in the competition with five goals, will be crucial, as will Jonathan Rowe, whose directness and dribbling ability make him a constant threat. Lewis Ferguson will be key in midfield, linking play and driving attacks.
Aston Villa vs Bologna Match Facts
- Aston Villa have won their last 3 matches against Bologna in all competitions.
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Bologna
Aston Villa return to Villa Park with a comfortable 3-1 aggregate lead, placing them firmly with one foot in the Europa League semi-finals. Unai Emery’s side have been formidable in this competition, winning 10 of their first 11 matches, and their home record in Europe is particularly imposing, boasting eight straight wins and 15 victories from their last 17. The Villans are strong in creating and finishing scoring chances, especially when attacking down the wings, and are adept at protecting a lead.
Bologna, despite their first-leg defeat, arrive with nothing to lose and a commendable away record in Europe, having won five consecutive Europa League road games since an earlier loss at Villa. They too are strong in attacking down the wings, creating opportunities, and finishing chances, suggesting they will push for goals. Their volume-based attacking approach, highlighted by a competition-high 243 shots, means they are always capable of finding the net, and players like Bernardeschi, who often scores after half-time, indicate their ability to grow into games. However, their extensive injury list and a crucial suspension for Lucumí will severely test their squad depth against a strong Villa side. While Bologna will fight hard, Villa's home advantage and their clinical nature should see them through, likely with another narrow victory.
Best Bet: Both Teams to Score – Yes Click here to get the best odds at Daftkings Sportsbook
Given the attacking strengths of both teams and the context of the tie, "Both Teams to Score – Yes" appears to be a valuable betting angle. Aston Villa are strong in finishing chances at home, and Bologna's attacking numbers, even with injuries, suggest they will create opportunities. The editorial forecast also states, "Both teams are likely to score, and the match could be high-scoring." Bologna's impressive away form in Europe further supports the likelihood of them finding the net.
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