Aston Villa vs Bologna: a European semi-final spot is in sight 
The home side take a two-goal lead into the second leg. A place in the semi-finals looks there for Aston Villa to grab. Birmingham should be rocking from the first whistle. Unai Emery knows this is the night to book a place in the last four.
Aston Villa’s dominance 
Unai Emery has a side full of belief. Aston Villa are on an eye-catching run of eight straight European wins. This is what they do in knockout football. Ollie Watkins leads the charge up front this season. The numbers at Villa Park are heavily stacked in their favour heading into the return leg. They’ve won 15 of their last 17 home games in Europe. The recent draw with Nottingham Forest hasn’t knocked the mood. The dressing room wants another continental trophy on the shelf. The crowd is expecting a proper statement.
Bologna’s huge task in England 
Bologna arrive in England hoping for a tactical miracle. Vincenzo Italiano’s side were badly exposed in the first leg at home. They trail the English side by two goals. Their record in Birmingham doesn’t exactly fill the fans from Emilia-Romagna with confidence. The club has already lost twice in this city since last season. The win over Lecce in Serie A is their only real bright spot. The visitors will have to go for it with nothing to lose. The defence will need a heroic night to stop this turning ugly again.
Expected line-ups
Aston Villa : Bizot ; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne ; Onana, Tielemans ; McGinn, Buendia, Rogers ; Watkins
Bologne : Ravaglia ; Mario, Vitik, Heggem, Miranda ; Moro, Freuler ; Bernardeschi, Ferguson, Rowe ; Castro
Football prediction Aston Villa vs Bologna
Aston Villa win
The home side’s technical quality should tell from the off. Unai Emery’s pedigree in this competition means they know how to control the tempo.
Bologna will have to throw men forward, and that will leave gaps all over the place. Watkins has the pace to punish every slip in the Italian back line.
Villa Park should see another routine win on the road to the semi-finals.
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