Aston Villa return to Villa Park on Thursday night to host Bologna in the Europa League quarter-final second leg. Carrying a 3-1 advantage from the first leg in Italy, Unai Emery’s side sit firmly in the driving seat to reach the final four. Kick-off is scheduled for 8:00pm local time.
Here’s IGL’s full match breakdown, key stats, and the best bets available with Tether Bet.
Aston Villa vs Bologna Tips & Best Bets
Ollie Watkins to Score Anytime @ 2.45
Watkins is IGL’s standout pick heading into this second leg. He scored twice in the first leg and has found the net in three of his last three Europa League appearances after going goalless through his first eight outings in the competition this season. His late-season momentum and the expected open nature of this game make him a credible anytime scorer at this price.
IGL Top Pick: Ollie Watkins to Score Anytime @ 2.45 on Tether Bet
Aston Villa Win & Both Teams to Score @ 3.50
IGL backs this market as the best value bet of the night. Villa have scored in six straight home matches but have conceded in the majority of those games too, indicating they can be exposed even when dominant. Bologna bring an attacking record of scoring in 19 consecutive away matches, and facing a two-goal deficit, Vincenzo Italiano’s men will need to push high from the start. That creates space for Villa on the break and goals at both ends.
IGL Top Pick: Aston Villa Win & BTTS @ 3.50 on Tether Bet
Match Overview
Aston Villa received a welcome boost in the Premier League top-five race following Chelsea’s weekend defeat, taking a degree of pressure off Emery’s squad. That breathing room allows the squad to focus squarely on European progression, where Villa remain among the competition’s stronger sides.
The 3-1 first-leg result gives Villa clear control, but IGL notes that Emery’s track record in knockout football means he will prepare his side to stay structured and deny Bologna any early momentum. A goal for the visitors early in this second leg would shift the atmosphere quickly, and Villa are unlikely to sit back and invite pressure.
Bologna arrive knowing they must score first and score often. Despite the size of the task, they come in with six wins from their last seven away fixtures, form that reflects genuine belief and quality in transition. Their 3-1 away lead against AS Roma in a previous round also highlighted that this team is capable of big road results.
That said, their historical record against Aston Villa is poor. In three competitive meetings, Bologna have yet to score against Villa, who have netted seven goals across those fixtures. That head-to-head context matters here.
Aston Villa Team News
Boubacar Kamara (knee) remains out long-term. Jadon Sancho carries a shoulder concern and is doubtful. Emiliano Martinez is being assessed for a calf issue. Ross Barkley is not eligible due to squad registration. Beyond those absences, the squad is close to full strength and Emery has depth to rotate.
Bologna Team News
Martin Vitik is suspended. Lukasz Skorupski and Benjamin Dominguez are both unavailable due to injury. Thijs Dallinga and Charalampos Lykogiannis are carrying doubts, which could affect Bologna’s attacking structure in what needs to be an aggressive night for them.
Head-to-Head Record: Last 6 Meetings
Villa and Bologna have met three times in competitive football, all in European competition. Villa have won all three, scoring seven goals and conceding just one. The most recent meeting was the first leg of this tie in April 2026, a 3-1 win for Villa on Italian soil. Previous meetings include a 2-0 win in 2024 and a 1-0 win in 2025.
| Date | Score | Competition |
| 09/04/26 | Bologna 1-3 Aston Villa | Europa League QF |
| 25/09/25 | Aston Villa 1-0 Bologna | Europa League |
| 22/10/24 | Aston Villa 2-0 Bologna | Champions League |
IGL’s Call on the Match
This second leg sets up as an interesting tactical contest. Bologna will attack out of necessity, and IGL expects that to open up space for Villa on the counter, particularly for Watkins. Emery has consistently shown he can manage leads from a position of strength, and there is little in the available team news or form data to suggest Bologna can close a two-goal gap at Villa Park.
IGL’s two primary selections for this match: Ollie Watkins anytime scorer at 2.45 and Aston Villa to win with both teams scoring at 3.50, both available at Tether Bet.
Bet responsibly. All odds correct at time of writing and subject to change.