Bologna vs Aston Villa Predictions

• Bologna have scored in 11 of their last 12 games.
• Villa have scored in 11 of their last 12 games
• Villa won 1-0 at home when these sides met in the league phase

Bologna test for Villa

Aston Villa face a tough trip to an in-form Bologna side in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday.

Villa have been in mixed form domestically but have been excellent in Europe, winning seven of their eight league phase games and both legs against Lille in the previous round, and they are the clear favourites to progress.

The Villans have the quality to win this tie and they should be able to overcome Bologna over the two legs, but the Italian side can make life tough for Unai Emery’s men.

Bologna are the team in the better overall form going into this clash and the standout bet here is probably backing both teams to score.

Villa are yet to draw a blank in Europe and they have scored in 11 of their last 12 games overall. Bologna have also scored in 11 of their last 12 games and they have scored in each of their last eight Europa League assignments.

These sides met in the first round of league phase games as Villa edged out a 1-0 win at Villa Park. That game was incredibly close, however, and the Rossoblù were unlucky to lose on the balance of play. With home advantage, the Serie A side can keep this tie alive and a 1-1 draw is the correct score pick – as Bologna have scored exactly one goal in five of their last six home games and Villa have scored six goals across their last six away from home.

Jonathan Rowe stands out as a potential outside option for an anytime goal. Bologna’s English forward has two goals in his last three games, including one against Roma in the previous round, and has been more effective in Europe than he has domestically in attack – with three goals and two assists in 10 games.