Aston Villa Close in on Europa League Semi-Finals After Win Over Bologna

Aston Villa are close to reaching the UEFA Europa League semi-finals after securing a tough 3-1 win against Bologna. The match could have gone a different way if not for Ollie Watkins, who struck twice to make the most of his chances.

After a bright start at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Emery’s team had a scare when Santiago Castro bundled the ball over the line after a deflection off Konsa, but the goal was quickly ruled out by VAR for offside in the build-up.

Bologna tried to hit back straight away and came close when Lewis Ferguson’s close-range shot hit the underside of the crossbar. However, Villa struck just before half time. Youri Tielemans delivered a curling corner that went just over Federico Ravaglia’s reach, and Ezri Konsa rose well at the far post to head it in, giving Villa the lead against the run of play.

Watkins made it 2-0 for Villa just six minutes after the break with a sharp finish. Torbjorn Heggem lost the ball cheaply to Emi Buendia, and the loose touch set Watkins up, who calmly slipped the ball through Ravaglia’s legs.

Later on, Federico Bernardeschi came close, hitting the side netting from Jonathan Rowe’s cutback. Rowe then pulled one back for Bologna with a fine curling shot just before full-time.

But Villa had the last word, as Bologna failed to clear another Tielemans corner, and Watkins was there again to tap it in from close range and restore the two-goal lead.

After thrashing Bologna, Aston Villa are now looking the favorites to reach the UEFA Europa League semi-finals should they maintain the lead in the upcoming second leg.