Lewis Ferguson believes Bologna can still qualify for the Europa League semis despite a 3-1 loss to Aston Villa. He praises teammate Jonathan Rowe as their best player over the last three months.
Key points
Bologna lost 3-1 to Aston Villa in the first leg.
Lewis Ferguson believes Bologna can still qualify for the Europa League.
Jonathan Rowe has been Bologna's best player recently.
The second leg match is crucial for Bologna's Europa League hopes.
Mentioned in this story
Lewis FergusonJonathan Rowe
BolognaAston Villa
Ferguson: āOn fireā Rowe wonāt think about Premier League move vs. Aston Villa
Ferguson: āOn fireā Rowe wonāt think about Premier League move vs. Aston Villa
Scotland international Lewis Ferguson feels Bologna āstill believeā they can qualify for the Europa League semis despite a 3-1 loss against Aston Villa in the first leg and praises English winger Jonathan Rowe: āHeās on fire, our best player in the last three months.ā
Bologna visit Aston Villa in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-final this evening, but the Rossoblu must climb back from a 3-1 deficit.
āAnything can happen, and we still believe,ā Ferguson told TNT Sports.
āA lot of people on the outside might think at 3-1 it has finished the tie, but there are still 90 minutes to play and weāve not given up. Weāve got nothing to lose now. We will give it absolutely everything.ā
āWe definitely have to take the positives,ā Ferguson continued.
āLarge parts of the game we dominated and thatās not easy against a side like Villa. Especially the first half, we created a good few chances, the one off the bar, the goal disallowed, a goal could have changed the game at that point and then we go in at half-time 1-0 down after conceding from a set piece.
āOverall, we were really frustrated, but at this level itās fine lines. Itās moments that cost us because over the piece we were good enough to get a decent result.ā
English winger Rowe scored Bolognaās only goal in the reverse fixture, and Ferguson was full of praise for the ex-Norwich talent.
āIn the last three months, heās been on fire. Heās been our best player. Heās the sort of guy we look to make the difference in games,ā Ferguson said.
āHeās a funny character off the pitch. Iām trying to keep his feet on the ground. Heās been excellent; heās one of those guys who can win you games, and when I speak about fine margins and moments, heās the kind of guy who can make the difference.
āHeās such a good out-ball to have on that side because we know when he receives the ball, something is going to happen. He can create, score goals, assist, heās got everything to be a top player.ā
Q&A
What did Lewis Ferguson say about Bologna's chances against Aston Villa?
Lewis Ferguson expressed that Bologna still believes they can qualify for the Europa League semis despite their 3-1 loss.
How has Jonathan Rowe performed recently for Bologna?
Jonathan Rowe has been praised by Lewis Ferguson as 'on fire' and the best player for Bologna in the last three months.
What is the score of the first leg between Bologna and Aston Villa?
Bologna lost the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final to Aston Villa with a score of 3-1.
When is the second leg match between Bologna and Aston Villa?
The second leg match between Bologna and Aston Villa is scheduled for this evening.
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Riccardo Calafiori, Joshua Zirkzee, and Dan Ndoye have moved to the Premier League from Bologna in recent years, but despite rumours of interest from England, Ferguson is convinced that his teammate will solely focus on tonightās match.
āI know him pretty well and I donāt think it will be in his head knowing heās playing an English team,ā Ferguson said.
GENOA, ITALY ā JANUARY 25: Lewis Ferguson of Bologna celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and Bologna FC 1909 at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on January 25, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Getty Images)
āFor English fans and Premier League fans who maybe havenāt seen him, that was a good chance for them to get a look at Jonny and see what he can do.
āObviously, Norwich fans would have known, even though he was still young there coming through and has developed in the last couple of years into a really good player.
āIām not speaking for him, but I donāt think that will be in his head, knowing Premier League fans and clubs will be watching that game.
BOLOGNA, ITALY ā APRIL 09: Jonathan Rowe of Bologna is challenged by Amadou Onana and Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa 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 Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
āHeās relaxed, heās funny, when he goes out on the pitch, the one thing on his mind is to try and make the difference, and thatās so important for an attacker. The way we play, we want to get the ball to the winger, and we expect him to create and score for us. Heās certainly been delivering.ā