Bologna Looks to Upset Aston Villa in Europa League Quarterfinal

Manager Vincenzo Italiano calls for his team to be 'more clinical' and 'make it an uncomfortable night' for the home side.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:57pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the intense action and competing perspectives of a high-stakes European football match, with players and the pitch deconstructed into sharp, geometric shapes and planes of color.Bologna's quest to overturn a first-leg deficit against Aston Villa in the Europa League quarterfinals will require a gutsy, high-energy performance at Villa Park.Today in Birmingham

Bologna manager Vincenzo Italiano is calling on his team to be more clinical in front of goal and make sure their Europa League quarterfinal second leg against Aston Villa 'isn't a comfortable night for them.' Bologna lost the first leg 3-1 at home, but Italiano believes his team can turn things around at Villa Park if they match Aston Villa's intensity and take their chances.

Why it matters

Bologna has only lost two Europa League matches this season, and both were against Aston Villa. A win or even a close loss could see them advance to the semifinals of the competition, which would be a major achievement for the Italian club.

The details

Italiano wants Bologna to keep possession more effectively against Aston Villa, who tend to let opponents have the ball for periods. He also stressed the need for Bologna to be 'more clinical in front of goal' after failing to capitalize on their chances in the first leg. Bologna will be without suspended defender Jhon Lucumi, as well as injured players Lukasz Skorupski, Thijs Dallinga and Benjamin Dominguez, but Martin Vitik returns from suspension.

  • The match kicks off at Villa Park in Birmingham, UK at 8:00 PM local time (9:00 PM CEST).
  • Bologna lost the first leg 3-1 at home last week.

The players

Vincenzo Italiano

The manager of Bologna FC, calling for his team to play with intensity and clinical finishing against Aston Villa.

Jhon Lucumi

A Bologna defender who is suspended for the second leg.

Lukasz Skorupski

Bologna's injured goalkeeper.

Martin Vitik

A Bologna player returning from suspension for the second leg.

Aston Villa

The English club hosting Bologna in the Europa League quarterfinal second leg, having won the first leg 3-1.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I would love to play five minutes tonight, though I couldn't manage more than that.”

— Vincenzo Italiano, Bologna Manager

“We must try to keep the ball, as Aston Villa let you keep it for a bit, and we need to quality to attack with everyone we can get into the box, also be wary when we lose the ball, and be more clinical in front of goal than we were in our last two trips here.”

— Vincenzo Italiano, Bologna Manager

“I want to see the maximum desire to cause them problems, to ensure this isn't a comfortable night for them, try to improve the result and leave here with our heads held high. I think courage is the right word, what we need in this stadium and against this opponent.”

— Vincenzo Italiano, Bologna Manager

What’s next

The winner of the Bologna vs. Aston Villa tie will advance to the semifinals of the Europa League.

The takeaway

Bologna faces a tough task in overturning a two-goal deficit against a strong Aston Villa side, but manager Vincenzo Italiano believes his team has the quality and desire to cause problems for the home team and potentially pull off an upset. A strong performance and result at Villa Park could be a major boost for Bologna's European ambitions this season.