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Aston Villa have one foot in Europa League semi-final thanks to Watkins double in Bologna

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Ollie Watkins put Aston Villa two goals up in Italy - Jennifer Lorenzini/Reuters

It has not been an easy season for Ollie Watkins but he is edging ever closer to becoming the first Aston Villa player of the modern era to join the 100 club.

Visit asg-reflektory.pl for more information.

Here were goal numbers 98 and 99 in all competitions for the England forward and a timely response to his recent exclusion from Thomas Tuchel’s squad.

There has always been a theory that Watkins is never more dangerous than when he is fighting against a perceived injustice.

Whether it be losing his place under Unai Emery, or being left out by England last month, Watkins frequently seems to produce when enduring a setback.

Time is running out for the £33m striker to book his place on the plane for the World Cup, but cementing his place in Villa history will unquestionably assist him in his mission.

Villa were far from electric here in Bologna but nobody will care how they achieve it if Emery ends their long wait for a trophy.

Emery is targeting trophy number five of his career as a manager in the Europa League and Villa are arguably the favourites to go all the way.

To put his formidable record in this competition into some context, Emery has lost just once in the last 25 matches. It is a remarkable run of results, and a chilling set of statistics for Villa’s rivals.

Villa will head into next week’s reunion with a big advantage and, perhaps, the prospect of an all-English semi-final against Nottingham Forest will become a reality. 

10:31pm

Vitor Pereira is pleased with the Forest result

10:18pm

Martin Keown believes Forest can progress

10:16pm

Jean-Philippe Mateta is delighted to be back

10:15pm

Ollie Watkins reflects on Aston Villa’s important victory

10:14pm

Other Europa League results

Wednesday 8th April

Braga 1 Real Betis 1

Thursday 9th April 

Freiburg 3 Celta Vigo 0

10:10pm

FT: Crystal Palace 3 Fiorentina 0

Sarr added a late third goal for Palace to give the hosts a seemingly unassailable advantage in their Conference League quarter-final.

10:08pm

FT: Porto 1 Nottingham Forest 1

Forest worked incredibly hard and rode their luck at times, but depart Portugal with a 1-1 draw, leaving the tie hanging in the balance ahead of next week’s second leg in Nottingham.

Nottingham Forest players applaud the away support following their 1-1 draw with Porto - Pedro Nunes/REUTERS09:59pm

FT: Bologna 1 Aston Villa 3

Villa will head into next week’s second leg in Birmingham in control of this tie as Watkins’ double helped the English side to an important 3-1 victory over Bologna.

Emery’s men weren’t at their best but they worked hard, devastatingly pounced on Bologna’s errors and punished them from corners.

Ollie Watkins wheels away in celebration after netting Aston Villa’s third goal against Bologna - STEFANO RELLANDINI/AFP09:52pm

GOAL! Watkins restores Villa’s two-goal cushion

That is a massive goal. Tielemans’ wonderful corner lands at Watkins’ feet as the strikers arrives inside of the six-yard box. Watkins then squeezes a close-range effort under Ravaglia with pretty much the last kick of the game.

09:49pm

GOAL! Rowe curls in a magnificent strike for Bologna

Rowe finally has his goal. The Bologna winger has been threatening that all night. Once again, he cuts inside and bends a sensational shot into the bottom corner, away from Martinez’s outstretched arm.

09:48pm

89 min: Bologna 0 Aston Villa 2

Emery makes two late changes as the seconds continue to tick away. Rogers and Buendia depart, with Maatsen and Bailey on as the replacements.

09:47pm

87 min: Bologna 0 Aston Villa 2

Villa have got all 11 players behind the ball as they look to protect their two-goal lead.

Meanwhile, at Selhurst Park, Palace are still leading 2-0. Fiorentina had hit the bar earlier in the second half, while Mateta missed a presentable chance to add a third goal.  

09:45pm

83 min: Porto 1 Nottingham Forest 1

Porto have registered 14 shots and created five big chances, but a lead is proving elusive for the hosts, who can’t find a second goal. 

09:43pm

84 min: Bologna 0 Aston Villa 2

Rowe doesn’t deserve to be on the losing team this evening. He’s been magnificent. Joao Mario is the next Bologna player to try his luck, but Pau Torres does well and makes a crucial block. 

09:41pm

81 min: Bologna 0 Aston Villa 2

Martinez makes one of the saves of the season! Rowe stands up McGinn and cuts inside of the Villa captain, before whipping a bending effort from outside the penalty area which is heading for the top corner. However, Martinez uses his massive frame and makes an jaw-dropping save to tip the strike over the bar.

09:39pm

80 min: Bologna 0 Aston Villa 2

Onana has worked so hard for Villa, and his evening is over as he makes way for Bogarde in central midfield. 

09:38pm

78 min: Bologna 0 Aston Villa 2

Once again, Rowe forces the issue and sprints away from Cash to reach the byline. The ball is eventually worked to Bernandeschi, but from an unfavourable angle, he shoots into the side netting. You can hear the frustration within the home crowd. 

09:36pm

74 min: Porto 1 Nottingham Forest 1

Ortega has been fantastic in between the sticks for Forest. The goalkeeper has recorded five saves and been such a reliable presence in the visitors’ defence.

09:34pm

74 min: Bologna 0 Aston Villa 2

Villa have defended diligently in this second half. If Bologna are to find a way back into this contest, then they need to keep feeding the ball to Rowe.

09:31pm

71 min: Bologna 0 Aston Villa 2

A tremendous amount of space is opening up for Villa on the counter as Bologna push more men forward in their search for a goal back. Buendia is the next Villa man to try his luck, but he blazes an effort over the bar. 

09:29pm

GOAL! Forest score but it won’t count

Jesus reaches for a lofted cross into the box and collides with Porto goalkeeper Costa. The striker’s knee clashes with the Porto man’s head, and the goal is ruled out.

09:26pm

66 min: Bologna 0 Aston Villa 2

Watkins should do better... Buendia strides forward and plays a perfectly-weighted through-ball to the onrushing Watkins. He runs in on goal, but can’t sort his feet out, allowing Ravaglia to rush out and claim possession.

09:24pm

65 min: Bologna 0 Aston Villa 2

Can Villa manage the rest of this game professionally and maintain their hard-fought advantage? They’ve seemingly ridden out Bologna’s first half storm and look far more imposing now. Buendia, Rogers and Watkins are combining effectively and are looking really dangerous. 

09:22pm

62 min: Bologna 0 Aston Villa 2

Rowe has been a nightmare for Cash to contain, and the Bologna winger cuts inside of the Villa right-back, before whipping a curled effort just wide of the far post.

Jonathan Rowe has been outstanding for Bologna in this quarter-final first leg. Signed from Marseille for around £16.8m last summer, the England under-21 international is certainly enhancing his reputation here.

09:19pm

57 min: Porto 1 Nottingham Forest 1

Porto have started the much better side in the second half, with Gomez and Costa both going close. 

09:16pm

56 min: Bologna 0 Aston Villa 2

Villa have such a commanding lead and they nearly find a third goal as Watkins cushions the ball into Rogers’ path. The playmaker takes a touch, before firing a powerful effort at goal, which narrowly flies over the bar. Conceding just before and after the restart has interrupted Bologna’s momentum and they look absolutely stunned. 

09:14pm

Forest and Palace also back under way

Both games are a few minutes behind Villa. Forest have made two half-time changes, with Igor Jesus and Milenkovic replacing Wood and Murillo. 

A bizarre incident at Palace delayed their restart.

09:12pm

GOAL! Watkins doubles Villa’s lead

It’s a brilliant goal from Watkins and Villa are in dreamland. The visitors press so high as Buendia closes down Heggum and intercepts his pass. It ricochets into Watkins’ path and the strikers bursts into the penalty area, before calmly slipping an effort underneath the goalkeeper.

09:08pm

48 min: Bologna 0 Aston Villa 1

McGinn threads a clever pass through to Buendia on the counter. He has Rogers in support but can’t quite lift a pass through to the Englishman. Bologna then fly up the other end and the ball is worked to Pobega, but the midfielder’s arrowed strike narrowly sails over the bar. 

09:05pm

46 min: Bologna 0 Aston Villa 1

We are back under way at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara. Can Villa hold onto their very slender lead?

09:00pm

HT: Crystal Palace 2 Fiorentina 0

Watch both goals as Palace cruise into a 2-0 lead thanks to Mateta’s penalty and Mitchell’s close range finish. 

08:57pm

HT: Porto 1 Nottingham Forest 1

Forest will be thrilled to go in 1-1 at half-time, which seemed implausible when Porto scored within 11 minutes, after earlier missing two excellent chances. But after Martim Fernandes’s extraordinary own goal, Forest settled into the game and were cut apart less swiftly on the flanks. 

08:56pm

Are Aston Villa lucky to be ahead?

Half-time Verdict:

Smash and grab win looming here in Bologna?

Villa have been pretty underwhelming but took the lead completely against the run of play a minute before the break.

These are the sort of results Unai Emery always seems to deliver in the Europa League when the odds seem against him.

Bologna’s fans have clapped their team off at half-time here and can scarcely believe the scoreline. 

08:53pm

HT: Bologna 0 Aston Villa 1

Konsa’s 44th-minute header has given Villa a crucial advantage over Bologna at half-time. The hosts have been the better side. They’ve had a goal ruled out by VAR and struck the bar. At times, Villa have looked panicked and lethargic, but capitalised on a dreadful mistake from Bologna goalkeeper Ravaglia as Konsa headed into an empty net from Tielemans’ menacing corner. 

Ezri Konsa celebrates after netting Aston Villa’s opening goal against Bologna - STEFANO RELLANDINI/AFP08:46pm

GOAL! Konsa heads in at the end of the first half

It’s against the run of play, but Villa won’t care, as the visitors strike very late in the first half to open the scoring. It’s a terrible error from Bologna goalkeeper Ravaglia. He completely misjudges Tielemans’ corner and it floats over him, allowing Konsa to nod a header into an empty net. They’ve ridden their luck, but Villa have the all-important lead.

08:44pm

42 min: Bologna 0 Aston Villa 0

Villa have grown into the contest in the last few minutes, with Watkins, Rogers and McGinn becoming more involved. Emery won’t be thrilled with his side’s display, but the score remains goalless. 

08:40pm

38 min: Bologna 0 Aston Villa 0

McGinn goes so close for Villa. They’ve been passengers in this first half, but Villa suddenly come alive as Rogers and McGinn combine on the edge of Bologna’s area. McGinn receives the ball and curls an effort towards the near post, but he whips it narrowly wide as it shaves the side netting.

08:38pm

35 min: Bologna 0 Aston Villa 0

Villa are incredibly to still be level in Italy. 

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are currently breezing past their Serie A opponents as they lead Fiorentina 2-0 thanks to goals from Mateta and Mitchell.

08:33pm

31 min: Bologna 0 Aston Villa 0

Big escape for Aston Villa there but Unai Emery will be hoping it shakes his players into life.

A Var review ruled out a Ezri Konsa own goal for an alleged offside, while Federico Bernadeschi has just struck the crossbar.

Villa need to wake up here as they have been passive so far.

08:32pm

30 min: Bologna 0 Aston Villa 0

Bologna strike the bar! Aston Villa cannot deal with Rowe, who is causing them an array of problems. He has the beating of Cash every time and swings a cross into the box with the outside of his foot. Castro beats Konsa to the ball and directs the delivery onto the bar. It’s an agonising moment for Bologna. Villa are clinging on.

08:29pm

NO GOAL! VAR saves Aston Villa

After a VAR check, Castro is judged to be offside in the build up and Bologna’s goal is chalked off. That is a huge let off for Villa.

08:28pm

GOAL! Bologna strike first

Rowe beats Cash to a long ball and Bologna are away. The attacker slips a pass through to Castro, whose cross takes a wicked deflection off Konsa and the ball loops over Martinez, before it spins into the net. 

08:24pm

21 min: Bologna 0 Aston Villa 0

Bologna combine up top and Castro is unleashed behind the Villa backline, but he doesn’t connect with the strike. The hosts recycle the ball well and Bernadeschi’s cross finds Miranda, whose downward volley is tipped over the bar by Martinez.

Bologna’s supporters unfurled a huge banner before kick-off with the words ‘Magico Bologna Vinci Per Noi’ (Magical Bologna Win For Us), and their team has started impressively.

Forwards Federico Bernardeschi and Jonathan Rowe are both causing problems with their movement. Juan Miranda has also forced the first save from Villa’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

08:19pm

GOAL! Forest equalise through a bizarre own-goal

What was Fernandes thinking?! Forest have been gifted an equaliser. The Porto man has possession and without looking, delivers a calamitous back pass, which was intended for his goalkeeper, into the unguarded net.

Wow. After their torrid start Forest benefit from an act of astonishing generosity. Right-back Martim Fernandes, 30 yards away from his own goal, overhits his back pass horrendously, scoring the sort of own goal that was once a staple of those Christmas bloopers videos.

08:18pm

15 min: Bologna 0 Aston Villa 0

What a chance for Villa! From the free-kick, Tielemans floats a delicious ball into the box. Watkins escapes his marker, but can’t direct an effort either side of the goalkeeper, and his shot is saved by Ravaglia.

08:16pm

14 min: Bologna 0 Aston Villa 0

Buendia motors forward for Villa and he is tripped by the retreating Lucumi, who trips the playmaker. He receives a yellow card and is out of the second leg. Lucumi will be a huge miss for Bologna.

08:13pm

GOAL! Porto take a deserved early lead

It’s been coming and Porto strike first. Rosario has been so lively for the hosts and he flicks the ball into Veiga’s path, and he delivers a low cross to the back post for Gomes, who slides to tap in from close range.

A well-deserved goal for Porto; Forest’s weakened side, so impressive at FC Midtjylland, have continually been exposed so far. A lovely pass from Gabri Veiga, on the left-hand side, gives Brazilian William Gomes a simple finish at the back post. 

08:12pm

9 min: Bologna 0 Aston Villa 0

The Villa match is being played at a far slower pace. It’s almost like a game of chess. Both sides are still figuring each other out and waiting for the other to make the first move.

08:11pm

7 min: Porto 0 Nottingham Forest 0

Porto dominating in Portugal. Forest goalkeeper Ortega has already produced important saves to deny Moffi and Sainz.

08:08pm

6 min: Bologna 0 Aston Villa 0

Cash hesitates allowing Bologna dangerman Rowe to burst into the penalty area. He cannot get a shot away and Villa survive on this occasion. Rowe is undoubtedly one of Bologna’s most incisive players. 

08:05pm

3 min: Bologna 0 Aston Villa 0

No real rhythm in this game just yet. The return of Tielemans to Villa’s line-up could be a potentially game-defining boost for the away side.

08:04pm

The other English teams are under way

Forest and Palace have also both kicked off in their European ties.

08:01pm

Kick-off

Referee Sandro Scharer sounds his whistle and we are under way in Italy for this game between Bologna and Aston Villa.

07:47pm

Who’s in charge of the playlist at Bologna?

A very eclectic pre-match playlist so far here in Bologna.

So far we’ve had Daft Punk, Talking Heads and AC/DC.

It’s loud enough but not particularly intimidating. 

Aston Villa fans have been enjoying the Italian sunshine and performing their best John McGinn impressions - Jennifer Lorenzini/REUTERS07:44pm

Another big-name striker makes his return

With Jorgen Strand Larsen suspended, its the perfect opportunity for Jean-Philippe Mateta to return to the Crystal Palace line-up.

In January, a proposed move to AC Milan collapsed due to medical complications. A strained relationship with the fans left many questioning whether Mateta would ever play for Palace again. The striker is here and could be crucial to Palace’s Conference League run.

Jean-Philippe Mateta is in good spirits ahead of Crystal Palace’s game against Fiorentina - Paul Childs/Action Images via Reuters07:36pm

Chris Wood is back

Nottingham Forest have sorely missed Chris Wood (left), who netted 20 Premier League goals last season. In a campaign destroyed by injury, the New Zealand international has managed just three goals in nine appearances across all competitions this time around. The travelling Forest fans will be delighted to see him back on the pitch. 

Chris Wood (left) warming up for Nottingham Forest ahead of the match against Porto - Zed Jameson/PA07:30pm

Bologna’s extraordinarily long tunnel

A rather quirky feature of the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium

07:28pm

Vitor Pereira’s pre-match thoughts

07:25pm

Unai Emery is a Europa League master

For a sense of Unai Emery’s outstanding Europa League record, here is an eye-opening statistic.

Rather incredibly, Emery has lost just one of his last TWENTY-FOUR matches in the competition. 

His affinity with it runs very deep and Villa are probably favourites to win Emery his fifth Europa League trophy. 

Unai Emery has won the Europa League four times in his managerial career - Alex Livesey/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images07:18pm

Heavy rotation for Forest

Premier League regulars such as Neco Williams, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Ibrahim Sangare all start on the bench this evening. With a crucial top-flight match against Aston Villa coming up on Sunday, Vitor Pereira has dipped into his deep squad to make some notable changes. 

07:10pm

Unai Emery names a strong Aston Villa side

Strong starting XI from Unai Emery, even with a big game away at Nottingham Forest this weekend.

The recent returns of John McGinn and Youri Tielemans from injury have been significant as Villa fight on two fronts.

Worth keeping an eye on Bologna forward Jonathan Rowe tonight. Villa scouted him extensively during his spell at Norwich City before opting to sign Morgan Rogers. That one has worked out ok though, hasn’t it?

07:08pm

Crystal Palace and Fiorentina line-ups in full

CrystalPalace: Henderson, Richards, Lacroix, Canvot, Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell, Sarr, Mateta, Guessand. 

Subs: Matthews, Benitez, Lerma, Pino, Johnson, Clyne, Hughes, Sosa, Riad, Devenny, Cardines. 

Fiorentina: de Gea, Dodo, Pongracic, Ranieri, Gosens, Fabbian, Fagioli, Ndour, Harrison, Piccoli, Gudmundsson. 

Subs: Leonardelli, Christensen, Mandragora, Comuzzo, Fazzini, Kospo, Kouadio, Braschi, Balbo, Deli, Puzzoli. 

Referee: Donatas Rumsas (Lithuania)

07:05pm

Porto and Nottingham Forest line-ups in full

Porto: Costa, Fernandes, Thiago Silva, Bednarek, Sanusi, Fofana, Rosario, Veiga, William, Moffi, Sainz.

Subs: Claudio Ramos, Joao Costa, Kiwior, Froholdt, Pepe, Alberto Costa, Prpic, Varela, Gul, Moura, Mora, Tiago Silva.

Nottingham Forest: Ortega, Dominguez, Abbott, Murillo, Morato, McAtee, Yates, Gibbs-White, Bakwa, Wood, Ndoye. 

Subs: Sels, Williams, Sangare, Hudson-Odoi, Igor Jesus, Lucca, Hutchinson, Milenkovic, Aina, Whitehall, Sinclair, Hanks. 

Referee: Marco Guida (Italy)

07:04pm

Bologna and Aston Villa line-ups in full

Bologna: Ravaglia, Joao Mario, Heggem, Lucumi, Miranda, Ferguson, Freuler, Pobega, Bernardeschi, Castro, Rowe. 

Subs: Pessina, Franceschelli, Moro, Orsolini, Casale, Zortea, Odgaard, Sohm, Cambiaghi, Castaldo. 

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

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

Referee: Sandro Scharer (Switzerland) 

06:52pm

Crystal Palace team news

Jean-Phillippe Mateta is back for Palace and starts for the first time since January. Other changes see Dean Henderson and Daniel Munoz also return.

06:51pm

Nottingham Forest team news

Vitor Pereira has massively altered the Forest line-up, ordering nine changes. In huge news, striker Chris Wood returns after a six month absence to begin up top. 

06:48pm

Aston Villa team news

Aston Villa make just two changes to the team that beat West Ham. Youri Tielemans returns to the first 11, while Emiliano Buendia also starts. They replace Ross Barkley and Jadon Sancho, who are both absent from the squad. 

06:47pm

Crystal Palace’s European adventure also continues

We haven’t forgotten about Crystal Palace, who host Fiorentina in their first leg of their Conference League quarter-final tie.

It’s been a tumultuous campaign for Palace, due to the previous uncertainty surrounding Oliver Glasner’s future and transformative players such as Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi leaving the club. However, Palace now have a massive opportunity to end the season on a high by lifting the Conference League.

Fiorentina represents their toughest test in the competition so far, but the Italians have struggled in Serie A and are floundering in 15th position.

After battling past Zrinjski and AEK Larnaca in the previous knockout rounds, Selhurst Park is ready for more European action.

06:36pm

Europa League has been a welcome distraction for Nottingham Forest

We will also be covering Nottingham Forest’s trip to Portugal this evening, as they face Porto in the Europa League quarter-finals.

Relegation fears and managerial chaos have hampered Forest’s Premier League campaign, with the club slumped in 16th position, just three points above the drop zone. 

However, despite having four different managers across the season, Forest have enjoyed positive results in the Europa League and advanced into the quarter-finals thanks to a penalty shootout victory over FC Midtjylland in Denmark. 

In their previous match before the international break, Vitor Pereira’s men beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-0, massively boosting their chances of survival. With the club’s form and mood improved, Forest will be itching to return to action, but so will their opponents. 

Porto are enjoying a sensational season under manager Francesco Farioli. They sit top of Liga Portugal and advanced into the Europa League quarter-finals courtesy of a 4-1 aggregate victory over Stuttgart in the previous round. 

If Forest and Villa both win their quarter-finals, it would set up an all-English semi-final match between the sides.

Again, kick-off is at 20:00 GMT, with lineups on the way shortly. 

06:32pm

Can Unai Emery repeat his Europa League magic?

Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of this Europa League quarter-final first leg tie between Bologna and Aston Villa at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara in northern Italy.

Villa’s aim is simple: secure Champions League football for next season. They’re currently fourth in the Premier League, six points ahead of sixth-place Chelsea. Although there is domestic pressure on Villa, progression in the Europa League has given the club another achievable and realistic route into the Champions League for the following campaign.

Unai Emery’s side remains one of the frontrunners for the Europa League, and have performed strongly throughout. Villa finished second in the league phase, winning seven of their eight matches. They’ve also been efficient in the knockouts, beating Lille 3-0 on aggregate in the round of 16. This impressive run of form means that Villa have collected seven consecutive Europa League wins.

Given the recent international break and their elimination from the FA Cup, Villa haven’t been in competitive action since their 2-0 victory over West Ham United on 22nd March. Villa should be feeling energised, and in Emery, the club possesses a manager with excellent European pedigree. The 54-year-old has scooped four Europa League titles across spells with Sevilla and Villarreal, and he’ll be looking to replicate this success with an English side.

Bologna are also enjoying an impressive Europa League campaign. Since losing to Villa 1-0 in the Midlands on the first matchday in September 2025, Bologna have produced an 11-match unbeaten run in the competition.

Finishing 10th in the league phase meant that Bologna had to settle for the knockout play-offs, but Vincenzo Italiano’s men overcame SK Brann and then secured an exhilarating 5-4 aggregate victory over Roma in the round of 16, recording an epic 4-3 win in the second leg after extra time in the Italian capital.

The winners of this tie will play Porto or Nottingham in the semi-finals. These sides will then fight for a place in the final hosted in Istanbul on 20th May.

Kick-off is at 20:00 GMT, with line-ups on the way shortly.

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