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Aston Villa are favourites to progress into the semi-finals of the Europa League as they welcome Bologna to Villa Park in the second leg of their quarter-final on Thursday night.
The Villans won the first leg 3-1 in Italy, meaning they hold a two-goal advantage heading into Thursday's clash.
Bologna are very much the underdogs in this sense, but will be hoping to cause an upset as they travel to England.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our Today's betting tips page for more of our Europa League predictions!
Contents
Aston Villa vs. Bologna key stats
- Villa have lost just once in five games in all competitions (W3, D1).
- Bologna have won seven successive away matches across all competitions.
- Villa have won the previous three H2Hs.
Aston Villa vs. Bologna preview: Villa to finish job?
| A Villa | vs | Bologna |
|---|---|---|
| 4th (Premier League) | Position | 8th (Serie A) |
| 55 | Points | 48 |
| 43 | Goals For | 42 |
| 38 | Goals Against | 37 |
| 9 | Clean Sheets | 10 |
| 4th | Home Rank | 12th |
| 6th | Away Rank | 4th |
A 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League last time out ensured Villa cemented their place in the top five with sixth-placed Chelsea losing 3-0 at home to Manchester City.
Qualifying for the Champions League would be a great achievement for the Villans, considering they are competing against the richer 'big six' and have had troubles with keeping compliant with PSR rules.
They can also qualify for Europe's elite competition if they win the Europa League, and are one step away from reaching the semi-final.
With a two-goal advantage against Bologna heading into the second leg, Unai Emery's side will surely fancy their chances.
As for the visitors, they know they would have to pull off an almighty shock to go through here.
They have lost every H2H they have played against Villa (L3), and would have to win by at least two clear goals.
Bologna have been exceptional away from home though, winning their last seven in all competitions.
However, Villa Park could be a step too far for them.
Aston Villa vs. Bologna form guide & betting tips
| A Villa | vs | Bologna |
|---|---|---|
| W-W-L-W-D | Form | W-L-W-L-W |
| 9 | Goals For | 9 |
| 3 | Goals Against | 5 |
| W-W-W | Europa League form | D-W-L |
Whispers predicts: Aston Villa 2-1 Bologna
Villa are 4/6 favourites with bookmakers to win and progress safely through to the semi-final.
We think they will too, but Bologna could cause problems given their great away form.
BTTS - Yes at 4/5 is therefore our first pick.
Ollie Watkins scored a brace in the first leg, and so Watkins to score anytime at 29/20 also appeals to us.
Overall, we are going for a narrow Villa victory, and Correct score - 2-1 at 15/2 is our final punt.
> BTTS - Yes at 4/5 | Likelihood: Probable
> Watkins to score anytime at 29/20 | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score - 2-1 at 15/2 | Likelihood: Outsider