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 and setting up a semi-final clash against Nottingham Forest. Ollie Watkins scored his 100th goal for Aston Villa, finishing off a skillful team move early on, while Morgan Rogers had a penalty saved but later made amends with a goal before the break. The win marked a significant confidence boost for Rogers, who ended a 12-game scoring drought for club and country. The second half was a one-sided affair, with Ezri Konsa capping off the victory with a late goal.
Aston Villa's starting lineup featured Emi Martinez, who returned after being rested, and the team's performance was closer to their best, overwhelming the Italian opposition from the start. Manager Unai Emery, a Europa League specialist, has guided his side through the competition with ease, and they now stand as favorites to win the tournament. With a seven-point lead over sixth-placed Chelsea in the Premier League, Champions League qualification seems likely, but Emery is determined to secure the Europa League title for the fifth time.
The semi-final against Nottingham Forest will be the first all-English semi-final in a European competition since 2009. Watkins, who has scored four goals in four games, expressed his excitement about reaching the milestone of 100 goals and is now focused on scoring 100 Premier League goals. He also spoke about his desire to earn an England recall, stating that he needs to continue scoring goals.
Aston Villa captain John McGinn praised the team's performance, saying it was a brilliant display, and manager Unai Emery emphasized the importance of the semi-final, noting that both teams have a rich history in European competitions. Bologna head coach Vincenzo Italiano acknowledged that his team was outmatched, saying that Aston Villa punished every mistake and were a step ahead.