Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media

James Barker

Thu 16 April 2026 21:51, UK

Aston Villa cruised to a Europa League semi-final place with a 4-0 win over Bologna on Thursday night, beating the Serie A side 7-1 on aggregate.

Indeed, it was a night to remember at Villa Park, as Unai Emery‘s side ran out convincing winners over Bologna and booked their place into a Europa League semi-final.

Having come away from the first leg with a 3-1 win in Italy, Villa knew they just had to stay focused in the return leg, but it did set up an interesting, ‘do we go for it or protect the two-goal lead?’ scenario for the Villans.

Evidently, the message from Emery – who picked an unchanged side from the first leg side – was to go after Vincenzo Italiano’s team from the off, and kill any hopes of a comeback in the first half.

That’s precisely what they did, with goals from Ollie Watkins, Emi Buendia and Morgan Rogers ensuring Villa had the tie won by half-time, before Ezri Konsa grabbed the fourth of the night on 89 minutes.

Morgan Rogers didn’t let penalty miss impact Bologna showing

There were some calls for Emery to rest Rogers for Bologna ahead of Thursday’s game, with the 23-year-old potentially in need of a rest after a disappointing performance against Nottingham Forest.

However, Emery ignored any notion of benching his talismanic attacking midfielder, and he was greatly rewarded for doing so.

Rogers was at the heart of a beautiful Aston Villa team goal to get the scoring underway, driving the ball forward as he linked up with Tielemans, Buendia and Buendia again, before moving into the box and squaring for Watkins to tap home.

Then came his first big chance to get on the scoresheet from the penalty spot, but his effort would be saved by Federico Ravaglia diving down to his right.

However, he didn’t let that miss shake him off his game, and he would eventually get his deserved goal on 39 minutes, as he smashed home a powerful left-footed effort that beat Ravaglia before he even had much chance to react.

Villa did step off the gas slightly in the second half, but the damage was done in the first 45 minutes, and Rogers was a massive part of that.

His brilliant assist for Watkins’ goal and his own well-taken finish ensured a very good day at the office on Thursday evening, and that bodes very well for Villa’s chances of not only winning this competition, but locking up their Champions League place in the Premier League.

Buendia looked back to his best for Aston Villa vs Bologna

One Villa player who has been struggling for form lately has been Buendia, with the Argentine international recording just one goal contribution in his last five in all competitions prior to Thursday night.

However, he will certainly have given Emery food for thought when it comes to naming his starting XI for the visit of Sunderland on Sunday.

Indeed, the 28-year-old looked back to his sharp and impactful best for the Villans against Bologna, and took his first-half goal in exquisite fashion.

His first touch to trap Lucas Digne’s throw-in was wonderful, instantly taking one Bologna defender out of the equation, before he fired his shot low past Ravaglia on his near post.

As was the case with Rogers, Buendia’s impact in the game naturally faded in the second half as Villa began to settle on their night’s work, but he banked a big first-half display right when he needed one.

He’s not started a Premier League game since the 3-1 defeat to Man United on 15 March, but so long as he comes out of this one in good shape, he’s surely done enough to warrant a return to the XI against Sunderland.

Aston Villa player ratings vs Bologna

Emi Martinez – 7

Matty Cash – 7

Ezri Konsa – 8

Pau Torres – 6

Lucas Digne – 8

Youri Tielemans – 7

Andre Onana – 8

John McGinn – 7

Morgan Rogers – 9

Emi Buendia – 8

Ollie Watkins – 8

Subs

Leon Bailey (for McGinn, ’64) – 5

Tammy Abraham (for Watkins, ’64) – 7

Jadon Sancho (for Rogers, ’74) – 5

Douglas Luiz (for Tielemans, ’74) – 6

Lamare Bogarde (for Onana, ’78) – N/A