Bologna Form
This Italian club have appeared on the continental stage for only the second time in the 21st century. And while last season they failed to reach the Champions League knockout stage, this year they have already made it to the quarter-finals of the second-tier European competition. In the league phase, Bologna finished 10th, before moving on to the play-offs, where they came through both legs against Brann at the same 1:0 scoreline without too much drama. In the previous round, however, the opposition were far stronger and also sit higher in the Serie A standings. Bologna only got past Roma after extra time (1:1 and 3:3, aet 1:0).
- Bologna are unbeaten in the Europa League for 11 matches (6 wins and 5 draws).
- The Italians have conceded more than one goal in just two of their last 12 matches in this competition.
- On home soil, the club are still unbeaten in this European tournament (2 wins and 4 draws).
Potential Bologna Lineup (4-3-3)*
Federico Ravaglia – Jhon Lucumi, Joao Mario, Martin Vitik, Nadir Zortea – Tommaso Pobega, Remo Freuler, Lewis Ferguson – Santiago Castro, Jonathan Rowe, Federico Bernardeschi.
Defender Martin Vitik will miss the match through suspension. Forwards Thijs Dallinga and Benhamin Dominguez, defender Charalampos Lykogiannis and goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski remain sidelined.
Aston Villa Form
Like the Italians, the Birmingham side have suffered only one defeat in this season's Europa League. That came in matchday three of the league phase, which the English club finished in second place. In the other seven matches, the club won. Thanks to that, Unai Emery's side qualified directly for the round of 16, where they faced Lille. In the first leg away from home, Aston Villa came out on top – 1:0. The return match in England was also a clean sheet, with the hosts winning more convincingly – 2:0. For the club, this is a third straight run to the latter stages of continental competition (in the previous two years, the Birmingham side reached the Conference League semi-finals and the Champions League quarter-finals).
- Aston Villa are on a seven-match winning run in the Europa League.
- The English club have scored exactly two or three goals in five of their previous seven matches in this tournament.
- The club have conceded more than one goal in just two of their last 10 matches in this European competition.
Potential Aston Villa Lineup (4-2-3-1)*
Emiliano Martinez – Lamar Bogarde, Pau Torres, Victor Lindelof, Ian Maatsen – Amadou Onana, Douglas Luiz – John McGinn, Morgan Rogers, Jadon Sancho – Tammy Abraham.
Midfielders Jadon Sancho and Boubacar Kamara are out injured.
Referee
Sandro Scharer (Switzerland)
Matches – 8 (international fixtures, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second bookings) – 33;
Yellow cards per match (average) – 4.1;
Red cards shown – 0;
Fouls per match (average) – 22;
Penalties – 38%.
* For each team, the starting XI from their previous match in this competition is listed.
