Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Thu 16 April 2026 7:40, UK

Aston Villa could achieve a bit of English history if they beat Bologna in their Europa League quarter-final.

Villa will put Premier League action on hold at Villa Park on Thursday for the second leg of their quarter-final tie with the Italian team.

Unai Emery‘s side hold a 3-1 first-leg advantage but the Villans were second-best for long periods at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara last week, so the second leg could be a nervy affair.

Emery has won this competition three times with Sevilla and once with Villarreal, plus, he finished runner-up with Arsenal in 2019.

The Spaniard may be the perfect man to have in the dugout as Villa chase history against Bologna in front of their home faithful.

History on the line for Aston Villa

Villa have kept five consecutive home clean sheets against Italian teams in major European competitions.

Indeed, the last player to score at Villa Park for an Italian club was way back in March 1983 when Zbigniew Boniek netted in a 2-1 Juventus victory.

Villa have won 15 of their last 17 major European matches (one draw and one loss) at home, and they have earned eight in a row this term.

They have also come out on top in five of their last six in the knockout stages in their own backyard, with Olympiakos the last team to come out on top (4-2 win) there in May 2024 in the Conference League.

And, if they beat Bologna, they will draw level with Chelsea for consecutive wins in major European competitions, while Manchester City lead the way on 10.

Moreover, Villa have won 10 of their first 11 Europa League games this season, with Chelsea in 2018-19 and Emery’s Villarreal in 2020-21 the only teams to match that feat in a campaign.

For Villa fans that may be a positive omen as both Chelsea and the Spanish side went on to win the tournament in those respective years.

Aston Villa’s difference maker?

Ollie Watkins has endured a difficult season for Villa.

More criticism than ever before has been levelled at him off the back of a lower goal return, sub-par displays, and speculation over his future.

Watkins had a tough day against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, as his efforts to hit double figures in the Premier League goes on.

This season, he has scored three times and added an assist in 11 Europa League matches, two of which came against Bologna.

Moreover, Watkins has scored nine goals in major European competitions for Villa and could be the first player to reach 10 goals for the club (with John McGinn and Peter Withe also on nine).

So, history is on the line for more ways than one.