Aston Villa Takes Command of Europa League Quarter-Final Against Bologna

Aston Villa secured a crucial 3-1 win in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie against Bologna, thanks to goals from Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins. The Premier League side faced a tough challenge from the Serie A team, who were on a 20-game unbeaten European run at home, but Villa's efficient set pieces and clinical finishing proved to be the difference. Despite Bologna's initial dominance, Villa took control of the game with goals either side of half-time, with Konsa heading home from a corner and Watkins scoring his third goal in five games. Bologna provided a late reminder of their threat, with England Under-21s international Jonathan Rowe smashing a finish past Emiliano Martinez, but Watkins had the last laugh, scoring with the last kick of the game to give Villa a two-goal lead ahead of the second leg.