Europa League
2026-04-09 - Bologna vs Aston Villa
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA Europa League Quarter Final First Leg
Thursday 9th April 2026 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Bologna
The surprise Serie A finish that saw Bologna earn a spot in the Champions League ended a run of twenty-five years without European Football. Back to back UEFA seasons have been secured after Bologna picked up a Europa League spot and the upset of domestic rivals Roma have seen the team progress to the Quarter Final.
Back in 1999, Bologna reached the Semi Final in the UEFA Cup and were only prevented from playing in the Final after conceding late at home in a 1-1 draw with Marseille that meant losing on the 'Away Goals' rule. The side have overcome Brann and Roma in the Knock Out Rounds of the Europa League after finishing 10th in the League Phase, but Bologna have drawn 4 of the 6 home Europa League games played.
Bologna have lost 1 of the last 5 games played in all competitions, but they have only won twice in that time in normal time, including a 1-2 win at Cremonese in Serie A this past weekend. The home form has been something of a concern for Bologna who have won 2 of the last 14 here in all competitions in normal time, while they have lost 2 of the last 3.
Aston Villa
Unlike most of the top European Leagues, top flight clubs in England who were not involved in the FA Cup Quarter Final Round have had a few more days of rest and recovery. One of those clubs is Aston Villa and that will have given Unai Emery an opportunity for a bit more work on the training ground ahead of what could be a huge two months for the club.
Getting back into the Champions League would open up some financial opportunities for Aston Villa and avoid having to sell some of the big assets on the roster. There are two routes open to Aston Villa to achieve that, but fans would love to see the team finally win some silverware for the first time since 1996 and they are one of the favourites in the Europa League. The Villans have won 9 of 10 Europa League games played this season to underline the favourite status.
Aston Villa were thumped 1-4 by Chelsea in the Premier League, but have bounced back impressively with 3 wins in 4 games in all competitions, including a 2-0 victory over West Ham United in the last game played before the March international break. The recent away form in the Premier League has been disappointing, but Aston Villa have won the last 3 away Europa League ties played.
Jadon Sancho is a doubt, but the likes of John McGinn and Youri Tielemens being back is a huge boost for Unai Emery and the squad.
Head to Head
Aston Villa have beaten Bologna at home in the Champions League and Europa League Group Stage last season and earlier in this one.
This is the first time Bologna will be hosting this opponent in a competitive fixture.
Prediction
With Unai Emery as manager and a squad that is once again looking healthy heading into the final two months of the season, you can understand why Aston Villa are favourites to win the Europa League.
However, there is a lot of work to get through between now and the Final in late May and this is a difficult looking Quarter Final.
Aston Villa have beaten Bologna at home, but it was a competitive game and only narrowly ending in favour of the English Premier League team.
Over two Legs you would have to favour Aston Villa, but Bologna have shown plenty of resilience in the Europa League.
Knock Out wins over Brann and Roma will have given the team a boost, although Bologna have proven to be inconsistent over the last several weeks. They needed Extra Time to beat Roma having drawn both Last 16 ties in normal time, and Bologna have really had some issues at getting those margins to land in their favour at home.
Bologna have only won 2 of the last 14 home games in all competitions and have been beaten in 2 of the last 3 here.
That is perhaps why Aston Villa have been set as the favourite as they were in the last Round when they beat Lille in both Legs. Unai Emery's team is well rested and have won the last 3 away Europa League games played, but the experience of the manager will mean he sets his team up to contain what Bologna are able to do in this First Leg.
Ultimately another low-scoring away win in favour of Aston Villa cannot be ruled out, but you have to imagine the manager and fans would be happy if the team return home with the scores level. That could make the focus of the fixture on making sure the defensive side of the tactics are put together properly and this could be another Bologna home game that features fewer than three goals shared out.
The Pick :
Bologna 0-1 Aston Villa
