Aston Villa dominates Bologna, sets up European semi-final against Nottingham Forest

Aston Villa secured a resounding 4-0 victory over Bologna at Villa Park, completing a 7-1 aggregate win in their Europa League quarter-final tie. This decisive win sets the stage for a semi-final showdown against Nottingham Forest. Ollie Watkins initiated the scoring with his 100th goal for Aston Villa, concluding an intricate team move. Despite Morgan Rogers having a penalty saved, Emiliano Buendia swiftly added a second goal, and Rogers later redeemed himself with a goal before the break. The victory marked a significant moment for Rogers, ending his 12-game scoring drought for both club and country. The second half was a one-sided affair, culminating in Ezri Konsa scoring late on. Aston Villa's starting lineup featured Emi Martinez, who returned after being absent, as Unai Emery reverted to the same lineup that won the first leg in Italy. Bologna's team included notable players such as Scotland's Lewis Ferguson and England U21 international Jonathan Rowe. Watkins has regained his form, having scored four goals in four games, including a double in the first leg against Bologna. The upcoming semi-final will be the first all-English semi-final in a European competition since 2009, with the first leg scheduled for April 30 at the City Ground and the return leg at Villa Park on May 7. Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins expressed his excitement about achieving his 100th goal, stating it's a milestone every striker wants to hit, and he now has his sights set on 100 Premier League goals. Watkins became the third Premier League player to score 100 goals in all competitions since his Aston Villa debut, alongside Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland. When asked about earning an England recall, Watkins emphasized the importance of continuing to score goals. Aston Villa captain John McGinn praised the team's brilliant performance, expressing delight at reaching the semi-final. Unai Emery highlighted the significance of the semi-final, acknowledging the difficulty of beating teams at this stage. Bologna head coach Vincenzo Italiano attributed their defeat to Aston Villa's strength, stating they punish every mistake. The semi-final between Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams vying for a spot in the final.