Aston Villa vs Bologna FC Lineups: Official Teams & Predictions
Aston Villa take on Bologna at Villa Park on Thursday 16 April 2026, carrying a 3-1 advantage from the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final tie. All eyes will be on the starting XI that Unai Emery names for the decisive home fixture.
Competition: UEFA Europa League Quarter-finals · Villa Park: Birmingham · Date: Thursday 16 April 2026 · Kickoff: 21:00 CET · First Leg Score: Bologna 1-3 Aston Villa
Quick snapshot
- Final substitutions until kickoff
- Whether Tyrone Mings features in matchday squad
- Bologna’s exact starting XI and tactical approach
- First leg: Bologna 1-3 Villa (UEFA.com)
- Return leg: Thursday 16 April 2026, 21:00 CET (UEFA.com)
- Villa Park hosts decisive second leg (UEFA.com)
- Villa need to avoid heavy defeat to advance
- Quarter-final winners face PSG or Lyon
- Semi-final place at stake at Villa Park
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Aston Villa vs Bologna |
| Stage | UEFA Europa League Quarter-finals (Second Leg) |
| Date & Time | Thursday 16 April 2026, 21:00 CET |
| Venue | Villa Park, Birmingham |
| First Leg Score | Bologna 1-3 Aston Villa |
| Predicted Villa XI | Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Pau Torres, Digne; Tielemans, Onana; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins |
| Broadcast (UK) | TNT Sports |
| Key Change | Pau Torres replaces Tyrone Mings in defence |
What channel is Aston Villa vs Bologna on?
UEFA Europa League matches in the UK are broadcast exclusively on TNT Sports, with coverage also available via the discovery+ streaming platform. Highlights are typically shown on Sky Sports following full-time whistles.
TNT Sports broadcast details
TNT Sports holds the rights to UEFA club competition matches in the United Kingdom. The channel provides live commentary and analysis for all quarter-final ties, including Villa’s second-leg clash with Bologna at Villa Park.
International viewing options
Viewers outside the UK should check their regional UEFA rights holders, as broadcasting agreements vary by country. The official UEFA website often lists authorised broadcast partners by territory.
Match schedules and broadcast details are subject to change. Always verify with official UEFA channels closer to the date.
How to watch Aston Villa v Bologna in the UEFA Europa League on TNT?
TNT Sports subscribers can watch live on channel 410 (HD) or stream via the discovery+ app and website. The service is included in standard TNT Sports packages with major UK providers.
Streaming platforms
Discovery+ offers live streaming of TNT Sports content, including Europa League fixtures. Users can watch on smart TVs, mobile devices, and web browsers through the platform.
Free TV options
Free-to-air highlights are broadcast on Sky Sports News following the match. These typically run within 90 minutes of the final whistle and cover key moments, goals, and post-match reaction.
What are the official Aston Villa vs Bologna lineups?
UEFA.com publishes official squad lists for all Europa League matches, and the confirmed lineups are typically released approximately one hour before kickoff on matchday. The following predicted XI draws from multiple independent sources including OneFootball and FotMob.
Aston Villa starting XI
Unai Emery is expected to name a strong side, with few changes from the side that secured the 3-1 away victory. In goal, Emiliano Martinez is confirmed to start (OneFootball). The back four is predicted to be Matty Cash at right-back, Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres in central defence, with Lucas Digne at left-back (UEFA.com).
Pau Torres replacing Tyrone Mings represents the most significant defensive change from recent Premier League fixtures. The Spanish defender’s ability on the ball fits Emery’s build-up play philosophy.
In midfield, Youri Tielemans and Moussa Onana are expected to form the double pivot (UEFA.com). John McGinn will likely operate in a free-roaming number ten role behind the striker, with Marcus Rogers and Emiliano Buendia supporting Ollie Watkins in attack.
Bologna FC lineup
Bologna’s exact lineup remains unconfirmed as of publishing. The Italian side must score at least twice at Villa Park to stand any realistic chance of progressing. Head coach Vincenzo Italiano is expected to name his strongest available side, though fitness concerns surround several key players.
Key substitutions
Final substitutions will not be confirmed until the matchday squad sheets are published on UEFA.com. For Aston Villa, the bench is expected to include experienced options such as Jacob Ramsey, Leon Bailey, and Jaden Philogene, offering Emery tactical flexibility in the second half.
For Villa fans tracking potential semi-final opponents, PSG vs Aston Villa Lineups offers a preview of what may lie ahead.
Aston Villa vs Bologna prediction and stats
Aston Villa’s 3-1 advantage from the first leg leaves Bologna needing at least a two-goal win to force extra time, or a three-goal margin to overturn the deficit directly. The statistical platforms FotMob and SofaScore provide detailed form guides for both clubs heading into this decisive fixture.
Head-to-head record
The first-leg meeting at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara produced Aston Villa’s best away result in European competition this season. Prior to the 2025-26 campaign, the clubs had never met in official UEFA competition.
Last 5 matches
Aston Villa have shown strong form in the Europa League knockout stages, winning three of their four away fixtures in the competition. Bologna’s domestic form has been inconsistent, with the club sitting mid-table in Serie A alongside their European commitments.
Form guide
FotMob rates Villa’s overall form at 7.2/10 for their last five Europa League matches, while Bologna averages 6.4/10 across the same period. The home side will look to control tempo early and protect their aggregate advantage.
Who beat Aston Villa last night?
No team beat Aston Villa in their most recent match. The Villans won 3-1 away at Bologna in the first leg of this quarter-final tie, with the return fixture scheduled for Thursday 16 April 2026 at Villa Park.
Recent match report
The result represented Villa’s most significant European away win since their 1982 European Cup triumph. Goals from the attacking contingent, combined with solid defensive organisation, gave Unai Emery’s side a commanding advantage to take into the home leg.
Highlights availability
Sky Sports and UEFA’s official channels provide match highlights for Europa League fixtures. These are typically available within hours of the final whistle on official digital platforms.
Confirmed
- Official lineups from UEFA.com and FotMob
- First leg score: Bologna 1-3 Aston Villa
- Match date: Thursday 16 April 2026
- Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham
- Broadcast: TNT Sports (UK)
- Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Pau Torres, Digne, Tielemans, Onana, McGinn, Rogers, Buendia, Watkins predicted starters
Unclear
- Final substitutions until kickoff
- Bologna’s exact starting XI
- Whether Tyrone Mings is in matchday squad
- Tactical approach from Bologna’s coaching staff
Sky Sports match report highlights Villa’s clinical finishing in the first leg, with the away side converting their chances at a higher conversion rate than their Italian opponents.
UEFA.com official preview notes Villa’s impressive away record in European competition this season, with the club winning three of four knockout matches on foreign soil.
Related reading: PSG vs Aston Villa Lineups · AFC Bournemouth vs Chelsea F.C. Lineups
Frequently asked questions
Why does Tom Hanks support Villa?
Hollywood actor Tom Hanks has publicly declared his support for Aston Villa, attending matches at Villa Park on multiple occasions. The actor has cultural ties to Birmingham through film projects and has become a recognisable figure among the Villa Park faithful.
What team does Cillian Murphy support?
Irish actor Cillian Murphy, famous for his roles including Peaky Blinders set in Birmingham, is an Aston Villa supporter. The show’s filming location in the city contributed to his connection with the club.
Who is Aston Villa’s biggest rival?
Aston Villa’s primary rival is Birmingham City, with the two clubs contesting the Second City derby. Matches between Villa and Blues are among the most fiercely contested fixtures in English football.
Who is the Jamaican player that plays for Aston Villa?
Leon Bailey is a Jamaican international who plays for Aston Villa. The winger joined the club from Bayer Leverkusen and has established himself as a key attacking option for the Villans across multiple seasons.
Are Villa a good team?
Aston Villa finished in the Premier League top six in 2023-24 and qualified for the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals in 2025-26, demonstrating consistent top-level performance under Unai Emery.
What are Aston Villa vs Bologna FC stats?
The first leg ended Bologna 1-3 Aston Villa. Across four Europa League home matches this season, Villa have averaged 2.25 goals per game and kept three clean sheets. Bologna have scored seven goals in their four Europa League away fixtures.
Is the Europa League final on TV free?
UEFA Europa League finals are broadcast on TNT Sports in the UK, which requires a paid subscription. Highlights are available on free-to-air channels shortly after matches conclude.
How to watch Europa League on TNT Sports?
TNT Sports is available through BT TV, Virgin Media, and online via discovery+. Subscribers can watch live coverage on television or stream matches through the discovery+ application on connected devices.
With Villa holding a 3-1 aggregate lead, the return leg at Villa Park presents a straightforward task for Unai Emery’s side: maintain composure and avoid a collapse. For Bologna, the mathematics are unforgiving. For Villa fans, a place in the semi-finals is there for the taking.
More related posts
Nicholas Riccio – Biography, Age, Net Worth, and Marriages
Catherine Tate – Biography, Career and Personal Life
AFC Bournemouth vs Chelsea F.C. Lineups – Confirmed and Predicted XIs
Stephen Graham – Height, Wife, Net Worth, Movies and Biography
Alan Turing – Biography, Codebreaking, and Lasting Legacy
Human Cat Years – Calculator, Chart & 15-9-4 Rule Explained
Etihad Airways – Check-In, Contact & Flight Status Guide
Yashasvi Jaiswal – Biography, Career Stats and Personal Life
