Credit: Tung Manh Phan

Richie Mills

Sun 12 April 2026 13:00, UK

Aston Villa have been linked with a move for Bologna star Jonathan Rowe after his exciting display against them in the Europa League.

But Unai Emery‘s team may need to be wary of the England Under-21 international, as he does not have a squeaky clean record when it comes to his conduct.

Rowe made a name for himself at Norwich, with the winger scoring 13 goals and adding four assists in the 2023-24 season, before Marseille signed him on loan with a £13million obligation to buy.

After chalking up seven goal contributions in 30 Marseille games last season, although just six of them were starts, he was promptly sold to Bologna following an off-field incident.

Amid Rowe being credited with interest from Villa, the Midlands outfit may need to consider his behaviour in recent years before trying to sign him.

Jonathan Rowe’s questionable antics

The 22-year-old signed for Bologna last August after being placed on the transfer list at Marseille after a heated argument with teammate Adrien Rabiot.

Then Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi described the disagreement as akin to a “bar fight”, with Rowe initially being suspended before heading for Bologna.

In August 2024, when Rowe was still at Norwich, then-Canaries manager Johannes Hoff Thorup challenged him to improve his behaviour as he sought an exit from the Championship side.

He said at the time, “I want to see some behaviours which show to me he [Rowe] wants to be part of this and fully committed.”

Things have worked out well for Rowe, despite his petulance.

And according to Gazzetta Dello Sport, Villa are interested in signing him after his impressive display in their 3-1 win over the Italian team in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday.

After that contest, Emery admitted, “Was Rowe a threat? It certainly created more problems for us.”

The report adds that Rowe is now valued at just under £40m by the Serie A outfit. But if he were to join Villa, he might create some more problems. Clubs say they like to do character background checks before recruiting a player.

Will Rowe pass that test?

Aston Villa do need a new winger threat

Villa haven’t really replaced winger Moussa Diaby following his transfer to Al-Ittihad in 2024 in a big-money move.

January signing Alysson may be one for the future, but the fact that Villa keep playing Leon Bailey, who doesn’t look up to the task these days, highlights how they need new, quality wingers.

Villa continue to be linked with a return for Marcus Rashford, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Villa Park, but he is hoping to sign for Barcelona permanently.

Rowe took a while to get going at Bologna and still hasn’t exactly set the world alight there.

But his recent form has been very encouraging, with two goals in his last three Serie A matches and in his last seven Europa League outings, Rowe has bagged four goals and two assists.

He could be one to watch.