Aston Villa secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Bologna in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final clash on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Villa Park in Birmingham, England.
The win extended Aston Villa’s aggregate lead to a resounding 6-1, putting them firmly in control of the tie ahead of the next round. Ollie Watkins opened the scoring in the 16th minute, giving the home side an early advantage. Emiliano Buendía doubled the lead in the 25th minute before Morgan Rogers added a third goal in the 39th minute, sealing the result before halftime.
Bologna struggled to break down Aston Villa’s defense throughout the match, managing few clear chances despite showing flashes of attacking intent. The Italian side will necessitate to overturn a significant deficit if they hope to advance, a task made more difficult by their defensive vulnerabilities exposed in both legs of the tie.
Aston Villa’s performance highlighted their growing confidence in European competition this season, with Watkins, Buendía, and Rogers playing key roles in the attacking third. The result keeps their Europa League hopes alive as they aim to progress further in the tournament.
