Aston Villa vs Bologna predictions, team news, betting tips, odds and Bet Builder

Aston Villa vs Bologna kick-off, date & TV info 

Date Thursday, September 25
Kick-off 8pm
Venue Villa Park, Birmingham
Competition Europa League
TV TNT Sports 1

Aston Villa are off to a slow start in the Premier League but they will be hoping for a change of luck in a different competition when taking on Bologna at Villa Park in the first of eight Europa League league-phase matches. 

Unai Emery's side have not tasted victory since the start of the season and cannot expect an easy game against Coppa Italia winners Bologna, who are becoming established as a strong Serie A side.

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Aston Villa vs Bologna betting tips & predictions

Best bet

Bologna or draw double chance
1pt 21-20 Hills

Player cards

Matty Cash to be the first player to be carded
14-1 bet365, Hills

Longshot

1-1 correct score
11-2 general

Aston Villa vs Bologna preview 

Aston Villa show no signs of emerging from their early-season slumber and their winless start to the campaign could be extended by Bologna, who look overpriced to avoid defeat against Unai Emery's side.

Given their struggles in the Premier League, Villa might appreciate the opportunity to start afresh in a different competition, and there has been nobody better than Emery at plotting a path to Europa League glory.

The Villa boss is the most successful manager in the competition's history with a trio of successes with Sevilla and one with Villarreal, and the wily Spanish tactician's aptitude for European football was evident last season as he took Villa on a journey to the Champions League quarter-finals.

Villa's amazing experience in the Champions League included home wins over Bayern Munich (1-0) and Paris Saint-Germain (3-2), but it might also have taken a physical and mental toll on the players.

Less than a fortnight after their 5-4 aggregate quarter-final loss to PSG, Villa were brushed aside 3-0 by Crystal Palace in an FA Cup semi-final.

Their push for a top-five finish in the Premier League came to a bitterly disappointing conclusion with a 2-0 loss away to Manchester United in their last match of the season.

Missing out on Champions League qualification was a huge blow, because it left Villa heavily exposed financially and substantially reduced their ability to make major moves in the transfer market.

Villa's summer business was underwhelming and it didn't take long for the impact to be seen on the pitch.

The Villans have struggled in all five league games but Sunday's 1-1 draw at Sunderland, where they played against ten men from the 33rd minute, was arguably the worst among a series of poor performances.

Emery spoke after the game of his team playing without an identity, and it is hard to imagine how he will achieve a short-term fix to such a fundamental problem.

Bologna are not among the biggest clubs Villa will face on their Europa League schedule, but they have made substantial progress in recent years.

They made their Champions League debut last season and generally struggled, suffering four defeats (including a 2-0 loss away to Villa) and failing to advance beyond the league phase.

However. they had a reasonably strong domestic season – losing just eight of 38 Serie A games – and capped it off by winning 1-0 against Milan in the Coppa Italia final.

Vincenzo Italiano's side have had mixed fortunes in Serie A this term with two wins and two losses, but they look in better shape than Villa and can start their Europe League campaign in a positive manner by collecting a minimum of one point.

Combative Cash could collect an early card

Cash has collected two yellow cards in five Premier League appearances but is highly unlikely to temper his aggressive style. The 28-year-old always plays on the edge and looks overpriced to be the first player to enter the book.

Bologna may bag a point

Aston Villa's last two matches have finished 1-1 and another score draw may be on the cards against Bologna, who may be content the share the points. Bologna drew 14 of 38 Serie A matches last season and they can provide stiff opposition for an out-of-sorts Villa side.

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Aston Villa vs Bologna Bet Builder

Under 3.5 goals

Villa are having a tough time and their lack of confidence may contribute to a fairly low-scoring encounter.

Riccardo Orsolini to score or assist

The livewire attacker has forced his way into the Italian national squad and can show his quality against Villa.

Remo Freuler to commit two or more fouls

The combative Swiss midfielder does a lot of tackling and could soon get on the wrong side of referee Jesus Gil Manzano.

Pays out at 13-2 with Paddy Power

Key stats for Aston Villa vs Bologna

♦ Aston Villa have gone seven games without winning
♦ Villa have drawn 1-1 in each of their last two fixtures
♦ Villa have drawn their last three matches
♦ All of Aston Villa's last 12 games have generated fewer than four goals
♦ Three of Bologna's last four matches have featured just a single goal

Aston Villa vs Bologna betting odds

Sign up with Betfair to bet on Aston Villa vs Bologna in the Europa League. Here are the latest odds for Thursday's match.

Odds correct at time of publishing

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Aston Villa vs Bologna team news and predicted line-ups

Aston Villa

Ross Barkley is ineligible and Amadou Onana (thigh) and Youri Tielemans (calf) are doubts.

Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Pau Torres, Maatsen; McGinn, Kamara; Malen, Rogers, Elliott; Watkins.
Subs: Lindelof, Digne, Sancho, Guessand, Buendia, Garcia, Mings.

Bologna

Regular right-back Lorenzo De Silvestri was not selected in the Europa League squad and Ibrahim Sulemana (knee), Tommaso Pobega, Nicolo Casale and Ciro Immobile (all hamstring) are injured.

Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Skorupski; Zortea, Vitik, Heggem, Miranda; Moro, Freuler; Orsolini, Bernardeschi, Cambiaghi; Castro.
Subs: Dominguez, Lucumi, Lykogiannis, Ferguson, Fabbian, Rowe, Odgaard.

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FAQs for Aston Villa vs Bologna

When is Aston Villa vs Bologna in the Europa League?

The match kicks off at 8pm on Thursday

Where is Aston Villa vs Bologna being played?

The fixture is taking place at Villa Park in Birmingham, England.

Where can I watch Aston Villa vs Bologna?

The match is being screened live on TNT Sports 1.

What is the match betting for Aston Villa vs Bologna?

Aston Villa are the 8-11 favourites while Bologna are 3-1 shots. The draw is available to back at 2-1.

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