Ruthless Villa put Bologna to the sword to seal place in Europa League semis

Emery is set to take Villa into Europe for the fourth successive season; all this after a summer when his manager’s spending powers were restricted by PSR.

Villa looked more than comfortable and had the tie won before half-time too book a second European semi-final in three seasons.

As well as Watkins becoming the 12th Villa player to pass the 100-goal mark,  the game will have given Rogers a much-needed boost. He made the opening goal and scored Villa’s third – after recovering well from missing a penalty.

Emi Buendia added Villa’s second, but some generous goalkeeping from Federico Ravaglia did not help Bologna – he was a fault for two goals despite saving Rogers’ penalty.

Emery now has a second European semi-final in three seasons to his name after reaching the last four of the European Conference League two years ago.

As for Bologna, all three of their Europa League defeats this season have come at Villa’s hands as they met in the group stages.

Full report to follow...

10:31pm

Emery speaks to TNT Sports

10:29pm

Crystal Palace reach the Conference League semi-finals

Despite losing 2-1 against Fiorentina on the night, Crystal Palace progress into the last four of the Conference League, courtesy of a 4-2 aggregate victory. Oliver Glasner’s men will play Shakhtar Donetsk in the next round. It’s been a successful evening for the Premier League sides.

10:12pm

Watkins reflects on Villa’s progression

10:04pm

An all-Premier League semi-final awaits

Nottingham Forest have beaten Porto 1-0 at the City Ground, thanks to Morgan Gibbs-White’s first half goal, sealing a 2-1 aggregate win, which sets up a semi-final tie against Aston Villa.

10:03pm

McGinn reacts to Villa’s dominant victory

09:51pm

FT: Aston Villa 4 Bologna 0 (7-1)

Villa stroll into the Europa League semi-finals. The home side were in complete control in this second leg, with Bologna outclassed and overpowered. Watkins opener means that striker has now netted 100 goals for Villa. Buendia, Rogers and Konsa also added to the scoreline, rounding off a fantastic evening for Emery’s men.

09:48pm

GOAL! Konsa nets a late fourth with a brilliant finish

The centre back finishes like a striker. It’s an excellent goal. Bologna fail to clear Douglas Luiz’s corner and the ball loops up in the air. Konsa watches it the whole way and swivels, before arrowing a clinical volley into the bottom corner. The execution and technique were both outstanding. That caps off a dominant performance from Villa.

09:47pm

86 min: Aston Villa 3 Bologna 0 (6-1)

That’s the closest Bologna have come all game. Rowe plays in Sohm, who reaches the byline. He then pulls a cross back for the arriving Orsolini, but Digne is there to make a crucial interception, which preserves Villa’s clean sheet.

09:43pm

84 min: Aston Villa 3 Bologna 0 (6-1)

It has been such a disappointing performance from Bologna. They’ve not been able to create any clear-cut chances. Cash has done exceptionally to keep Rowe quiet, but the winger has had very little service.

09:41pm

81 min: Aston Villa 3 Bologna 0 (6-1)

Villa charge forward on the counter, with Bailey carrying the ball a tremendous distance. The winger feeds Digne, who shoots from a tight angle. The left back connects well with the strike, but Ravaglia stands firm and blocks it.

09:38pm

78 min: Aston Villa 3 Bologna 0 (6-1)

Onana leaves the pitch to a standing ovation from the crowd as he departs the action. Bogarde is on as the replacement. Villa host Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday and Emery will want to keep his squad as refreshed as possible.

09:33pm

74 min: Aston Villa 3 Bologna 0 (6-1)

Emery makes his second double change of the match. Tielemans and Rogers are replaced Douglas Luiz and Sancho.

09:32pm

72 min: Aston Villa 3 Bologna 0 (6-1)

A goal could do Abraham’s confidence a world of good. Since joining Villa in January, the attacker has largely been restricted to appearances from the bench, with Watkins cemented as Emery’s first-choice striker.

Tammy Abraham replaced Ollie Watkins earlier in this second half - Dave Shopland/AP

09:29pm

70 min: Aston Villa 3 Bologna 0 (6-1)

Emiliano Martinez is enjoying a comfortable evening and is on course to keep a clean sheet - Dave Shopland/AP

09:27pm

67 min: Aston Villa 3 Bologna 0 (6-1)

Despite their lead, Villa are still working incredibly hard. Emery has this group of players so well drilled.

09:23pm

64 min: Aston Villa 3 Bologna 0 (6-1)

Emery makes his first round of changes and rests some integral players. McGinn and Watkins are taken off, with Bailey and Abraham introduced.

09:22pm

62 min: Aston Villa 3 Bologna 0 (6-1)

Watkins’ earlier strike means he has now hit a century of Villa goals.

09:19pm

59 min: Aston Villa 3 Bologna 0 (6-1)

This second half doesn’t quite have the same buzz and intensity as the first. With Villa’s passage into the semi-finals safely secured, there is a complete lack of jeopardy. The hosts will happily protect their comfortable advantage.

09:16pm

56 min: Aston Villa 3 Bologna 0 (6-1)

Bologna attack with more purpose, but Orsolini is penalised for a handball and Villa survive. Martinez will be desperate to keep a clean sheet on his return to the side.

09:14pm

55 min: Aston Villa 3 Bologna 0 (6-1)

A ball is floated up to Rogers. Casale is pulling his shirt, but the ball hits Rogers’ arm as he attempts to bring it under his spell. The referee gives a free kick to Bologna. Rogers can’t believe the foul has gone against him.

09:11pm

52 min: Aston Villa 3 Bologna 0 (6-1)

A lofted ball is floated into Villa’s penalty area. Torres controls it but can’t clear. Orsolini latches onto it, but his effort is blocked by a combination of Torres and Digne.

09:09pm

50 min: Aston Villa 3 Bologna 0 (6-1)

You would expect some Villa changes sooner rather than later. If Rogers, McGinn, Digne or Cash are booked, they would miss the first leg of the semi-final.

09:07pm

47 min: Aston Villa 3 Bologna 0 (6-1)

Bologna defender Vitik is down and holding his thigh. The medical team are on to treat him. This evening has been a nightmare for Bologna.

09:05pm

46 min: Aston Villa 3 Bologna 0 (6-1)

We are back under way for the second half. Villa are unchanged at the break, while Bologna have made three alterations. Freuler, Bernardeschi and Joao Mario are replaced by Zortea, Orsolini and Sohm.

08:51pm

HT: Aston Villa 3 Bologna 0 (6-1)

Villa are cruising, with goals from Watkins, Buendia and Rogers propelling the home side into a heavy aggregate lead. Watkins finished off a delightful team move to open the scoring, before Rogers had a penalty saved by Ravaglia. However, Villa netted in their next attack, with Buendia firing past Ravaglia. Rogers swiftly pushed that penalty miss to the back of his mind and added Villa’s third, powering a clinical effort past Ravaglia.

Morgan Rogers has missed a penalty and scored in this first half as Aston Villa lead 3-0 - Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC

08:48pm

45 min: Aston Villa 3 Bologna 0 (6-1)

There will be two minutes of added time. VAR checks for another penalty as the ball shaves Joao Mario’s arm when he attempts to clear. On this occasion, Villa don’t get a penalty. That would have been so harsh if it was given.

08:46pm

42 min: Aston Villa 3 Bologna 0 (6-1)

This tie is done and dusted. It’s all about pride for Bologna. This is another damning reflection upon Italian football, with another Serie A side set to crash out of a European competition.

08:43pm

GOAL! Rogers slams in Villa’s third

Rogers redeems his penalty miss and smashes in another goal for Villa. Martinez launches the ball up to Watkins, who holds it up and passes to McGinn. From a central position, the Villa captain finds Rogers, who has drifted out to the left. He takes on Casale on the outside, before firing a clinical effort past Ravaglia. Villa are cruising. They’re levels above Bologna this evening.

The blog writer’s curse strikes again, no sooner had I pressed ‘send’ on my laptop, than Rogers comes up with the goods.

But the England forward had Ravaglia to thank this time after two earlier saves. McGinn spotted Rogers out left and he cut inside to score at the goalkeeper’s near post - Ravaglia really should have done better.

That means the tie is effectively over by half-time - with Villa 6-1 up on aggregate.

08:40pm

37 min: Aston Villa 2 Bologna 0 (5-1)

Bologna have to feed Rowe in these opening 37 minutes. He wreaked havoc in the first leg, but has been largely uninvolved this evening.

08:37pm

34 min: Aston Villa 2 Bologna 0 (5-1)

The atmosphere around Villa Park is tremendously relaxed now. With a four-goal aggregate advantage, their passage into the semi-finals almost looks like a certainty.

Villa looked set to add a second after 19 minutes when Bologna defender Martin Vitik was judged to have handled in the penalty area as he leapt for a cross. The ball hit his outstretched hand and VAR sent Jose Maria Sanchez to the onside screen.

The Spanish official gave the penalty and it seemed the ideal opportunity for Morgan Rogers to end his 11-game goal drought as McGinn handed him the ball.

Rogers is set to leave Villa this summer in a big money deal. But he is clearly lacking confidence as his penalty proved. Bologna goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia easily smothered the kick to leave Rogers still waiting for a much-needed goal.

As for Villa, they were soon two up as Digne’s throw was collected by Buendia who twisted and turned in the Bologna area and threaded the ball in at the near post.

08:34pm

31 min: Aston Villa 2 Bologna 0 (5-1)

Bernardeschi receives the game’s first yellow card after bumping into Onana. Bologna attempt to string together a couple of attacks, but the resulting crosses are easily cleared by the Villa defence.

08:29pm

GOAL! Buendia doubles Villa’s lead

Villa instantly forget about Rogers’ missed penalty and find a second goal. Digne’s quick throw in unleashes Buendia, who advances into the penalty area. He chops inside and shoots, firing a low effort which beats Ravaglia at his near post. Villa’s aggregate lead now looks unassailable and Bologna have a mountain to climb.

08:28pm

MISS! Rogers’ penalty is saved

Rogers fires a low effort towards the bottom left corner. It’s not a bad penalty, but Ravaglia guesses the correct way and makes a fantastic save. Rogers’ wait for a goal goes on and Villa miss a golden opportunity to extend their advantage.

08:27pm

24 min: Aston Villa 1 Bologna 0 (4-1)

Villa get the penalty and McGinn holds the ball before giving it to Rogers. The playmaker hasn’t scored in 11 games, but he has a real chance to end that run.

08:26pm

23 min: Aston Villa 1 Bologna 0 (4-1)

Villa could have a penalty here. A cross is launched into the box, and Rogers beats Vitik to the ball. The Bologna man’s arm is in an outstretched position and the referee is sent over to the monitor. We know what that normally means...

08:23pm

21 min: Aston Villa 1 Bologna 0 (4-1)

Once again, Bernardeschi drifts inside and shoots, but Martinez is there to parry the effort away.

08:21pm

19 min: Aston Villa 1 Bologna 0 (4-1)

Rogers is enjoying himself this evening. The Englishman cuts inside and bends an effort at goal. Ravaglia is up to the task and makes an eye-catching save to tip Rogers’ effort around the post.

08:18pm

GOAL! Watkins nets a wonderful team goal

It’s a brilliantly-worked goal. Tielemans, Buendia and Rogers all link up so smoothly on the edge of the area. Buendia then plays in Rogers, who delivers a pinpoint cross towards Watkins. The striker can’t miss and from inside the six-yard box, he calmly slots it into the net.

Ollie Watkins’ opening goal for Villa after 16 minutes not only all but put the tie out of Bologna’s reach - it also rewrote the club’s record books.

Watkins became the first player in over 60 years to score 100 goals for Villa.

The last man to do that was the Northern Ireland striker Peter McParland who left Villa Park in 1962.

Emi Buendía found Morgan Rogers and Watkins slotted in from close range, to bring his season’s tally to 13.

But that was only the start of a dramatic few minutes - with Villa now in complete control

08:17pm

14 min: Aston Villa 0 Bologna 0 (3-1)

Rowe sprints at Cash, who defends well and knocks the ball out, prompting cheers from the Villa support. It’s clear that the home fans are trying to encourage Cash as much as possible. Everyone is well aware that Rowe is Bologna’s biggest threat.

08:14pm

12 min: Aston Villa 0 Bologna 0 (3-1)

Bernardeschi can hit them and he picks up the ball from deep, before unleashing a powerful effort at goal. It stings the palms of Martinez, who makes a comfortable save. It would need to be something extraordinary to beat Martinez from that sort of range.

08:13pm

10 min: Aston Villa 0 Bologna 0 (3-1)

Bologna captain Ferguson makes a mess of his clearance and the ball is eventually played back to Ravaglia, who slices his kick out for a throw in. Still, Villa’s attack comes to nothing and Bologna are back in possession.

08:11pm

8 min: Aston Villa 0 Bologna 0 (3-1)

Rogers attempts to tee up Tielemans, but the two Villa players aren’t on the same wavelength. Instead, the ball trickles into Torres’ path, but the centre-back’s placed effort harmlessly sails over the bar.

08:09pm

6 min: Aston Villa 0 Bologna 0 (3-1)

Rowe picks up the ball and Cash clatters into him, prompting some cheers from the Villa fans. It was an extremely forceful and robust challenge. The Bologna winger then jumps into Onana and Villa are given a free-kick.

08:07pm

5 min: Aston Villa 0 Bologna 0 (3-1)

A couple early decisions have rattled the home support, with Bologna picking up some soft fouls.

With four of Villa’s starters looking to avoid the booking which would see them suspended for the semi-final - if they get through - Bologna have already targeted skipper John McGinn and full-back Lucas Digne.

Matty Cash and Morgan Rogers must also avoid yellow cards if they want to play in the semis - while Victor Lindelof, who is on the bench tonight, is in the same situation.

But it is Bolgona who threaten first with a long range shot from Federico Bernardeschi that Martinez did well to spot and keep out. The Italian team have to find two goals from somewhere just to get on level terms.

08:05pm

2 min: Aston Villa 0 Bologna 0 (3-1)

McGinn does brilliantly to turn and spin away from Joao Mario. The Villa captain uses his arm to hold off the Bologna defender, who goes down holding his face. McGinn was dribbling at full speed before the referee intervened. Joao Mario was very lucky to get the free-kick.

08:02pm

Kick-off

Bologna get us under way in Birmingham.

There is a fervent atmosphere at Villa Park for a game which could see Unai Emery stay on course for a fifth Europa League triumph. Nobody knows the competition better than than the Spanish coach but he will be as wary as anyone that the 3-1 lead from the first leg does not mean Villa are safe.

A tifo was unveiled at the Holte End before kick-off - depicting the ‘Villa Villan’ character taking on his Italian opponent.

07:58pm

The teams are out

McGinn and Ferguson lead their sides out onto the pitch. The atmosphere at Villa Park is absolutely electric. What an incredible welcome for both sets of players. We are minutes away from kick-off.

07:49pm

Aston Villa’s formidable Europa League record

Unai Emery’s side have won 11 of their 12 games in the competition, with the league phase loss against Go Ahead Eagles back in October 2025 the only stain on an otherwise perfect record.

Aston Villa are one of the favourites to win this season’s Europa League - Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC

07:41pm

Freiburg are through

Freiburg are the first team to book their place in the Europa League semi-finals. The Germans have beaten Celta Vigo 3-1 in Spain this evening, securing a resounding 6-1 aggregate victory. Freiburg will play either Braga or Real Betis in the next round, with their aggregate score currently tied at 1-1.

Yuito Suzuki netted twice for Freiburg in the second leg victory over Celta Vigo - SALVADOR SAS/EPA/Shutterstock/Shutterstock Editorial

07:30pm

Unai Emery targets Champions League football for next season

07:27pm

Jonathan Rowe is Bologna’s dangerman

The Bologna winger was sensational in the first leg. Rowe’s positivity, directness and trickery was a nightmare for Matty Cash to contain. He netted a brilliant goal to haul Bologna back into the tie. If the Italians are to cause an upset this evening, then they need to give Rowe the ball as much as possible.

Jonathan Rowe capped an excellent performance in the first leg with a goal - Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images Europe

07:21pm

Aston Villa’s arrival

07:15pm

Could we get an all-English Europa League semi-final?

If Aston Villa beat Bologna and Nottingham Forest overcome Porto, then these two English giants will meet in the semi-finals. Forest’s tie is delicately poised, after a tight 1-1 draw in their first leg against Porto at Estadio do Dragao.

It’s all to play for in the quarter-final between Nottingham Forest and Porto - Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images Europe

07:08pm

Three English sides in action this evening

07:07pm

Unai Emery relishing the business end of the campaign

07:05pm

Martinez is back

The World Cup-winning Argentine was due to start against Nottingham Forest, but picked up a minor issue in the warm-up and was replaced by Marco Bizot. Martinez has shaken off that fitness problem and begins this evening.

07:01pm

The teams in full

Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, McGinn, Onana, Tielemans, Buendia, Watkins, Rogers.

Subs: Bizot, Wright, Lindelof, Mings, Elliott, Garcia, Abraham, Sancho, Douglas Luiz, Maatsen, Bogarde, Bailey.

Bologna: Ravaglia, Joao Mario, Vitik, Freuler, Casale, Miranda, Ferguson, Moro, Bernardeschi, Castro, Rowe.

Subs: Pessina, Franceschelli, Pobega, Orsolini, Heggem, Zortea, Odgaard, Lykogiannis, Sohm, Cambiaghi, Castaldo.

Referee: Jose Maria Sanchez

06:57pm

Bologna team news

Bologna have made three changes from the first leg. Jhon Lucumi is suspended, while Torbjorn Heggem and Tommaso Pobega drop to the bench. Nikola Moro, Riccardo Orsolini and Nadir Zortea are the replacements.

06:47pm

Aston Villa team news

Unai Emery has named an unchanged line-up to the team that beat Bologna in the first leg. Emiliano Martinez missed the draw with Nottingham Forest after withdrawing from the side in the warm-up, but he starts this evening. Jadon Sancho and Tyrone Mings have overcome injury issues and take their places on the bench.

06:41pm

What happened in last week’s first leg?

Bologna forced the issue in the first half and were the better side. Santiago Castro’s deflected delivery crossed the line before Matty Cash’s clearance, but VAR ruled it out, with the Bologna forward marginally offside in the build-up. Bologna captain Lewis Ferguson then struck the bar, following Jonathan Rowe’s mesmeric run and cross. Against the run of play, Villa opened the scoring just before half-time, through Ezri Konsa’s header.

In the second half, Ollie Watkins capitalised on a defensive mistake from Bologna to double Villa’s lead. Rowe then forced an incredible save from Emiliano Martinez, but did get his goal when he arrowed an 89th-minute effort into the bottom corner. Watkins added a very late third for Villa with virtually the last kick of the game, when he powered in a close-range effort from a corner.

Ollie Watkins scored twice in the first leg, helping Aston Villa to a 3-1 victory - Image Photo Agency/Getty Images Europe

Jonathan Rowe was a constant threat for Bologna in the previous match between the sides - Image Photo Agency/Getty Images Europe

06:33pm

Tonight’s venue

06:30pm

Can Aston Villa hold on to their advantage?

Hello and welcome to our coverage of this Europa League quarter-final second leg game between Aston Villa and Bologna.

Villa head into tonight’s contest as the firm favourites to progress into the semi-finals, following their 3-1 victory over Bologna in last week’s first leg at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara in northern Italy. Goals from Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins put Villa into a 2-0 lead, before Jonathan Rowe pulled a goal back for Bologna. Nevertheless, Watkins restored Villa’s two-goal advantage with a late close-range finish, propelling Unai Emery’s men into a very promising position.

In last weekend’s Premier League action, Villa battled to earn a hard-fought 1-1 draw away from home against Nottingham Forest. It was a solid point for Villa, who stay fourth but are only behind third-place Manchester United on goal difference, after Michael Carrick’s side lost 2-1 to Leeds United at Old Trafford on Monday evening.

Despite the first-leg scoreline, Bologna caused Villa various problems, with Rowe spearheading most of their attacking threat. The Italians returned to winning ways at the weekend, beating Lecce 2-0 in Serie A.

Last season, Villa exited the Champions League to Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals and reached the last four of the FA Cup, before losing to Crystal Palace, with both these teams going on to win their respective competitions. Villa also missed out on Champions League qualification, following a controversial 2-0 defeat against Man United on the final day of the campaign. It was a season of what-ifs and near moments, but the 2025/26 Europa League is a fantastic opportunity to bring some long-awaited silverware back to Villa Park.

Given Villa’s advantage from the first leg, their squad depth and four-time Europa League winner Emery’s glittering record in the competition, the trophy is starting to feel within touching distance.

Villa are proving to be a bogey team for Bologna, having beaten the Italian club in the Champions League in October 2024 and twice in this season’s Europa League. The odds are stacked against Bologna, but they arrive in Birmingham intending to spoil Villa’s party.

Kick-off is at 20:00, with team news to follow shortly.

Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.