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Aston Villa faces Bologna in the Europa League quarter-finals at Villa Park, Birmingham, kicking off at 20:00 UK time. Bologna aims for a comeback with key players Santiago Castro, Jonathan Rowe, and Federico Bernardeschi.
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Europa League official line-ups: Aston Villa vs. Bologna
Bologna hope Santiago Castro, Jonathan Rowe and Federico Bernardeschi can mount a Europa League quarter-final comeback against Aston Villa.
It kicks off at Villa Park in Birmingham at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).
The Rossoblu have a real mountain to climb after losing the first leg 3-1 at home, although as is often the case, the performance was far better than the result would suggest.
That was also the situation when losing here 2-0 in the Champions League last season and 1-0 earlier this term during the league phase.
Injuries continue to pile up, as Lukasz Skorupski, Thijs Dallinga and Benjamin Dominguez are still out of action, with Jhon Lucumi suspended.
At least Martin Vitik returns from his ban, with Charalampos Lykogiannis back in the squad too.
The match kicks off at 20:00 UK time (21:00 CEST).
Key players for Bologna include Santiago Castro, Jonathan Rowe, and Federico Bernardeschi.
The match is being held at Villa Park in Birmingham.
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Castro remains the only centre-forward available and is being run into the ground lately, flanked this time by Rowe and Bernardeschi, leaving Riccardo Orsolini on the bench.
Vincenzo Italianoās men have lost only two Europa League games this season, and both were against Aston Villa, as they won their next five away fixtures in a row after that September 25 defeat in Birmingham.
ITALY ā APRIL 12: Eusebio Di Francesco, Head Coach of US Lecce, gestures to his players during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and US Lecce at Renato DallāAra Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Aston Villa won every single Europa League fixture except for a 2-1 away to Go Ahead Eagles on October 23, making them the hot favourites to lift the trophy, especially with Unai Emery as their coach.
Emiliano Martinez has shaken off a calf injury and returns to take the gloves.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND ā SEPTEMBER 25: Unai Emery, Manager of Aston Villa, gestures from the sidelines during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Aston Villa FC and Bologna FC 1909 at Villa Park on September 25, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Jadon Sancho and Tyrone Mings are also carrying knocks, with Boubacar Kamara a long-term absentee, plus Ross Barkley and Alysson left off the Europa League list.
Juventus-owned Douglas Luiz is once again dropped in favour of Emiliano Buendia.
Ollie Watkins continues to lead the attack after his brace in the first leg.
ITALY ā APRIL 09: Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa scores his teamās third goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Leg One match between Bologna FC 1909 and Aston Villa FC at Stadio Renato DallāAra on April 09, 2026 in Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Pau Torres, Digne;Ā Tielemans, Onana;Ā McGinn, Rogers, Buendia;Ā Watkins
Bologna: Ravaglia; Joao Mario, Vitik, Casale, Miranda; Ferguson, Freuler, Moro; Bernardeschi, Castro, Rowe
Ref: Sanchez (ESP)