Europa League official line-ups: Aston Villa vs. Bologna

Skip to contentBOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 09: Santiago Castro of Bologna has a shot blocked by Pau Torres of Aston Villa during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Leg One match between Bologna FC 1909 and Aston Villa FC at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on April 09, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Bologna hope Santiago Castro, Jonathan Rowe and Federico Bernardeschi can mount a Europa League quarter-final comeback against Aston Villa.

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It kicks off at Villa Park in Birmingham at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Fiorentina vs. Crystal Palace on the Liveblog.

The Rossoblu have a real mountain to climb after losing the first leg 3-1 at home, although as is often the case, the performance was far better than the result would suggest.

That was also the situation when losing here 2-0 in the Champions League last season and 1-0 earlier this term during the league phase.

Injuries continue to pile up, as Lukasz Skorupski, Thijs Dallinga and Benjamin Dominguez are still out of action, with Jhon Lucumi suspended.

At least Martin Vitik returns from his ban, with Charalampos Lykogiannis back in the squad too.

Castro remains the only centre-forward available and is being run into the ground lately, flanked this time by Rowe and Bernardeschi, leaving Riccardo Orsolini on the bench.

Vincenzo Italiano’s men have lost only two Europa League games this season, and both were against Aston Villa, as they won their next five away fixtures in a row after that September 25 defeat in Birmingham.

Aston Villa won every single Europa League fixture except for a 2-1 away to Go Ahead Eagles on October 23, making them the hot favourites to lift the trophy, especially with Unai Emery as their coach.

Emiliano Martinez has shaken off a calf injury and returns to take the gloves.

Jadon Sancho and Tyrone Mings are also carrying knocks, with Boubacar Kamara a long-term absentee, plus Ross Barkley and Alysson left off the Europa League list.

Juventus-owned Douglas Luiz is once again dropped in favour of Emiliano Buendia.

Ollie Watkins continues to lead the attack after his brace in the first leg.

Aston Villa vs. Bologna line-ups

Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Pau Torres, Digne; Tielemans, Onana; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins

Aston Villa bench: Bizot, Wright, Lindelof, Mings, Elliott, Andres Garcia, Abraham, Sancho, Douglas Luiz, Maatsen, Bogarde, Bailey

Bologna: Ravaglia; Joao Mario, Vitik, Casale, Miranda; Ferguson, Freuler, Moro; Bernardeschi, Castro, Rowe

Bologna bench: Pessina, Franceschelli, Pobega, Orsolini, Heggem, Zortea, Odgaard, Lykogiannis, Sohm, Cambiaghi, Castaldo

Ref: Sanchez (ESP)

16-04-2026 20:00

1/4 Final

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BySusy Campanale

Original Article