Bologna at Villa Park, an eye on Sunderland and match facts from the BBC
There are no easy matches in the Premier League and if you get this far in Europe, there are also no easy matches. We might be going in to the match with a nice lead, it doesn't mean it's over.
But there may be an eye on the weekend as we are challenging on two fronts. And while there are no easy matches when you get this far, the two goals does allow us, maybe, to rest a player or two from the start and have them as options.
And all the players know what they need to do, so it feels okay doing that. But I don't think it will happen in the middle of the park. I think McGinn and Youri have had enough of a rest and I think they can play two games a week between now and the end of the season.
But I'd not be surprised to see a change or two elsewhere. And none of us doubt Unai and his ability to get the players to do what he wants. But it is a big match, it's Villa Park and even if we make a change or three, I expect the win. Maybe that's wrong, I don't expect it, I think we will get it.
And the manager will have an eye on Sunderland even though the focus will be very much tonight for the players. The way things are playing out and I think I saw this on X, if we can win two more, someone has said the chances of us getting Champions League is at 95%.
If we're to accept that, then two wins from six matches isn't impossible. And if that secures Champions League football again, winning silverware in Europe would be a bonus. And getting those two wins out of the way as quick as possible, will give the players a degree of freedom or the ability to play without fear.
Playing without fear can often be good for a team. But it is about tonight and that written, I need to get into the office. Catch you all later.
Match facts from the BBC with a Gemini twist
Aston Villa's Defensive Record: Aston Villa have kept five consecutive home clean sheets against Italian clubs in major European competition – the last player to score at Villa Park for an Italian team was Zbigniew Boniek in a 2-1 Juventus win in the European Cup in March 1983.
Bologna's Struggles in England: Since beating West Brom 3-1 at the Hawthorns in March 1967, Bologna have lost their five away visits to England in all European competition. They've lost to Leeds (1967, Fairs Cup), Fulham (2002, Intertoto Cup), Liverpool (2024, UEFA Champions League) and Aston Villa twice (2024, UEFA Champions League & 2025, UEFA Europa League).
Villa Park Dominance: Aston Villa have won 15 of their last 17 home major European matches (D1 L1), winning their last eight in a row. They've won five of their last six in the knockout stages at Villa Park, losing 4-2 to Olympiakos in the other in May 2024 in the Conference League.
Bologna's Away Form: Since losing 1-0 at Aston Villa in September this season, Bologna have won all five of their away matches in the UEFA Europa League. In the history of the UEFA Cup/Europa League, only Hamburger SV in 2008-09 and FC Porto in 2010-11 have ever won six away games in a single season.
Historical Precedents: Aston Villa have won 10 of their first 11 UEFA Europa League games this season (L1), with Chelsea in 2018-19 and Villarreal in 2020-21 the only teams to match that feat in a campaign, both of whom went on to win the tournament in those respective editions.
The Comeback Challenge: Bologna lost 3-1 in the first leg against Aston Villa, the second UEFA Europa League in a row that they have conceded three goals – only one of the 67 teams to lose the first leg of a two-legged knockout tie in the competition by 2+ goals at home have gone on to progress, with Sevilla overcoming Real Betis in the 2013-14 round of 16 (0-2 home, 2-0 away, 4-3 on penalties).
Ollie Watkins Milestones: Ollie Watkins has scored nine goals in major European competition for Aston Villa and could be the first player to reach 10 goals for the club (John McGinn and Peter Withe also 9); he could also be the second Villan to net in three consecutive European starts after John McGinn (a run of 4 between April 2025 and March 2026).
Jonathan Rowe's Impact: Bologna's Jonathan Rowe has recorded the most ball carries of 5+ metres ending in a shot in the knockout stages of this season's UEFA Europa League (8, 2 goals), as well as attempting (23) and completing (11) the most dribbles of any player.
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