Aston Villa vs Bologna prediction: expert analysis, possible lineups, April 16, 2026
Europa League
In the Europa League quarter-finals on April 16, 2026, Aston Villa and Bologna will play their second-leg match. The home side just needs to avoid an upset.
Aston Villa vs Bologna: Team News and Expert Analysis
The English side played in the Champions League play-offs last year, essentially making their debut in this format. However, in the Premier League, they lost out on fifth place to Newcastle on tiebreakers after finishing level on points. Now, they are fighting for third place with Manchester United. But they exited the domestic cups early. The Italians also got their first taste of the Champions League in 2024/2025, but performed poorly, failing to progress past the group stage. In Serie A, they slipped to mid-table but made up for it with a cup win. This season, after a good start in the domestic league, they have faded and are now only realistically competing for eighth place at best.
In the Europa League, their signature tournament, Emery’s side slipped up only against modest Go Ahead Eagles. All other matches, without exception, ended in victory. This included two clean-sheet wins over Lille in March to start the play-offs.
Vincenzo Italiano’s team began with a defeat in Birmingham, and after four rounds, had only five points. Later, they improved and easily reached the play-offs. There, they beat Brann 1-0 twice, and after two draws with Roma, clinched a win with an extra-time goal. Against the English side again, they lost once more without much chance, 1-3.
Previous Matches: Aston Villa vs Bologna
Recall that the clubs first met in the autumn of the year before last, in the Champions League. Back then, the English side also won.
This season’s hosts already proved in Italy that they are clearly superior. Nothing has changed—they will win again (odds: 1.60).
Aston Villa vs Bologna: Key Statistics and Trends
- Aston Villa have won ten out of eleven matches
- The club scores an average of 1.82 goals and concedes just 0.64
- Bologna have failed to win in regulation time in their last three Europa League matches
- The team averages 1.69 goals scored and 1.08 conceded per match
Aston Villa vs Bologna: Probable Starting Lineups
Aston Villa use a 1-4-2-3-1 formation (probable lineup): Martinez, Digne, Torres, Konsa, Cash, Tielemans, Onana, Buendia, Rogers, McGinn, Watkins. Sancho and Kamara are unavailable.
Bologna use a 1-4-3-3 formation (probable lineup): Ravaglia, Miranda, Lucumí, Heggem, Joao Mario, Pobega, Freuler, Ferguson, Rowe, Castro, Bernardeschi. In addition to previously injured Skorupski, Lykogiannis, and Dallinga, Dominguez is also out.
Place your bets on the upcoming match and follow your team's progress in the Europa League standings
