The most successful manager in UEFA Europa League (UEL) history, Unai Emery, will hope the competition sparks some life into his flailing Aston Villa side when they host Bologna.
Match News and Current Form
It’s truly been a miserable start to the campaign for Aston Villa, who are yet to win in six matches across all competitions while scoring just twice (D3, L3). Emery remarkably labelled his players as “lazy” in the wake of their 1-1 draw away at ten-man Sunderland at the weekend, with this early-season slump now threatening to turn into a full-blown crisis. Europe may offer an escape after Villa’s brilliant run to the quarter-finals of the Champions League last season, while no manager can boast as many games (93), wins (56) or titles (4) in the UEL than Emery, who has reached the final in each of his last five full campaigns in this tournament.
Bologna are competing in back-to-back European campaigns for the first time since the turn of the century, and they’ll hope for better fortunes than their league phase exit in last season’s Champions League. Vincenzo Italiano’s men are yet to hit their stride in Serie A (W2, L2), but have momentum behind them after scoring a 99th-minute penalty to complete a comeback win over Genoa at the weekend. Both their defeats this term have come on the road and by a 1-0 scoreline, while they netted just once on the travels in Europe last term (D2, L2), so a swift crash back down to earth certainly can’t be ruled out.
Head-to-Head History
These sides are meeting on this ground for a second successive season, with Villa running out 2-0 winners in last season’s Champions League. Bologna are now winless in five European games against English sides dating back to March 1967 (D1, L4).
Hot Stats and Streaks
None of Villa’s last four home games saw both teams score.
Villa avoided defeat in all six European home games last season (W5, D1), keeping four clean sheets.
All four of Bologna’s matches this term have stood goalless at half-time.
Bologna boss Italiano has lost all three of his meetings with English opponents.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Matty Cash is emerging as a surprise goal threat for Villa having scored in three of his last five appearances for club and country, with two of those strikes coming after half-time. Bologna’s Santiago Castro opened his account for the season at the weekend with the third of his last four goals to arrive beyond the 70th minute.
Belgian midfield duo Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans have both missed recent Villa action with injuries, while Bologna could continue to be without Ciro Immobile, Tommaso Pobega and Nicolò Casale.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
Villa’s attacking woes show no sign of ending, so backing under 2.5 goals seems likely to turn a profit.
Author: Ryan Fisher