Bologna vs Aston Villa Prediction: Rossoblu’s drawing trend to continue

Bologna welcome Aston Villa to Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on Thursday for the first leg of their Uefa Europa League quarter-final (20:00 BST, TNT Sports 2). The two sides have already met this campaign, all the way back on matchday one of the league phase - with Villa winning 1-0 at Villa Park.

The Rossoblu have not lost a game since in Europe and they now have an opportunity for revenge. Read on for my Bologna vs Aston Villa predictions, accompanied by the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Bologna are expected to be without several players for this clash. Thijs Dallinga, Charalampos Lykogiannis (both muscle), Benjamin Dominguez (back), Jens Odgaard (thigh) and Lukasz Skorupski (hamstring) all have injury troubles.

Federico Bernardeschi has scored in each of his side's last two outings in the Europa League, and he is set to start in the final third on Thursday.

Football Odds

Boubacar Kamara (knee) and Jadon Sancho (shoulder) are the only notable absentees for Villa, so Unai Emery should have most of his squad available for the trip to Italy.

The Villans could stick with a similar front four that defeated West Ham United before the international break. Emi Buendia may replace Sancho in the front four to play alongside John McGinn, Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins.

Bologna vs Aston Villa Odds

Bologna have won three of their last five outings in the Europa League (in normal time) and they are a 21/10 shot to prevail on Thursday.

The draw is on offer at 23/10, and four of the Rossoblu's six home games in this competition have ended level.

Villa are priced at 13/10 to come out on top and they have triumphed in nine of their 10 UEL fixtures so far.

Bernardeschi has five goals for Bologna in the Europa League and he is 3/1 to strike anytime here.

Today's Football Fixtures

Match Result - Draw @ 23/10

Bologna's only defeat in Europe this season came against Villa. They won't need much motivation for this tie and the Rossoblu will be determined to have their revenge. They fought brilliantly in the last round against Roma, but Villa present another tough test for them.

The Villans have won nine of their 10 outings in this competition and they are managed by Emery, who has won the Europa League four times. His side have already defeated Bologna this term so it is understandable that they are the favourites.

However, that was at Villa Park, so Bologna will look to play this clash on their terms. The hosts are yet to be beaten on home turf in Europe in 2025/26, and so they can cause issues for Emery's men.

Bologna have experienced four draws from six games here and I see this trend continuing for Vincenzo Italiano's team.

First Team To Score - Bologna @ 6/5

Bologna need to make the most of hosting the first leg as not many people will give them much of a chance back at Villa Park next week.

The Italian outfit have shown to be quite effective at home in this competition, having scored the opening goal in four of their six matches at Renato Dall'Ara. This includes their two most recent fixtures against Roma and Brann.

Given their recent history with Villa, as well as the visitors' record in Europe this campaign, the Rossoblu know that the first goal may be critical for their qualification hopes.

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