Aston Villa vs Bologna Preview
- Draw or Villa win
- Rogers to score or assist
Aston Villa will look to continue their strong start in the UEFA Champions League as they face Bologna, aiming for a third consecutive victory in the competition.
Villa have won both of their opening UCL matches, including a memorable 1-0 win over Bayern Munich, and they will equal their longest-winning run in Europe’s premier competition with another triumph.
Aston Villa’s Form and Key Stats
Unai Emery’s side has carried their impressive domestic form into Europe, suffering just one competitive defeat this season (W8, D2).
Villa’s defensive resilience has been a cornerstone of their success, conceding just once in their last three competitive outings. Another clean sheet in this match would see them match Leicester City’s record from the 2016/17 UCL campaign of not conceding in their first three matches.
Villa’s attacking threat has also been on display, with Morgan Rogers playing a pivotal role. Rogers, who leads the UCL in dribbles (nine), scored in Villa’s recent 3-1 victory over Fulham and has been a game-changer in recent fixtures.
He has lost just once in his last 12 goalscoring games, making him a key player to watch in this fixture.
Bologna’s Struggles
Bologna arrive in England under pressure, having failed to win any of their last four competitive matches (D3, L1). Their recent 2-2 draw with Genoa, after leading 2-0 until the final 18 minutes, has left manager Vincenzo Italiano frustrated, stating that his side “really needed a win.”
Bologna’s history against English teams doesn’t favour them either, with defeats in their last two visits to England (Leeds in 1967 and Liverpool in 2024).
Bologna have been inconsistent in front of goal, failing to score in just two of their eight league games this season but potentially facing a third consecutive European game without finding the net.
If they fail to score, they would match Austria Vienna’s record from the 2013/14 UCL campaign of three consecutive goalless games. Despite this, Bologna have shown promise in domestic away games, scoring more than one goal in their last three Serie A away matches.
Players to Watch
Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
The dynamic winger has been a standout performer in the UCL, leading the competition in dribbles and scoring against Fulham in the Premier League. His ability to create opportunities with his direct running and flair will be crucial for Villa.
Santiago Castro (Bologna)
The Bologna forward has been in solid away form, scoring two goals in his last four appearances, both coming after the 75th minute. He could be key for Bologna as they seek a breakthrough in what could be a challenging fixture.
Conclusion
Aston Villa enter’s this match with confidence, aiming to maintain their winning streak in the UCL and continue their excellent defensive form.
Bologna, on the other hand, are under pressure to turn their fortunes around and secure a vital result in what will be a tough away fixture.
Villa’s attacking quality and defensive solidity may give them the edge, while Bologna will need to step up their game if they are to avoid further disappointment in Europe.
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