Aston Villa delivered a commanding performance at Villa Park, thrashing Bologna 4-0 to seal a 7-1 aggregate win in the Europa League quarter‑finals and earn a place in the semi‑final against Nottingham Forest. The match began with an elegant team move that saw Ollie Watkins finish the chance, marking his 100th goal for the club.
Shortly after, a penalty awarded to Villa was saved, but Emiliano Buendía reacted swiftly, slotting home the rebound within 46 seconds. Morgan Rogers later restored his confidence by scoring before the interval, ending a personal drought of twelve games without a goal for both club and country. The second half unfolded as a procession, with Villa maintaining relentless pressure and Ezri Konsa adding a late strike to complete the tally. The starting eleven reflected Unai Emery's confidence in the squad that had triumphed in the first leg in Italy.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez returned to the line, while the back four of Cash, Konsa, Pau and Digne provided stability. In midfield, Tielemans, Onana and McGinn orchestrated play, with the attacking trio of Rogers, Buendía and Watkins leading the line. Bologna, fielding a side that included Scotland's Lewis Ferguson and England U21 international Jonathan Rowe, could not match Villa's intensity or precision. Watkins, who had struggled for form earlier in the season, proved his worth by netting his fourth consecutive goal in the competition, a run that began with a brace against West Ham before the international break.
His resurgence silenced critics who had argued for Tammy Abraham to start up front. Abraham, despite a strong showing in the first leg, was kept on the bench as Emery opted for the proven partnership that had delivered results. Emirates' side now sits seven points clear of Chelsea in the Premier League, putting Champions League qualification within reach via the league route. Nevertheless, Emery is determined to add a fifth Europa League trophy to his résumé, a competition in which he has become something of a specialist.
The upcoming semi‑final will be a historic all‑English encounter, the first of its kind in a European competition since Arsenal faced Manchester United in 2009, and the first all‑English semi‑final for this particular trophy since Liverpool met Tottenham in 1973. The first leg of the semi‑final is scheduled for April 30 at the City Ground, with the return fixture set for May 7 at Villa Park.
Both clubs will be eager to secure a place in the final, where a victory would guarantee a coveted spot in next season's Champions League. In post‑match interviews, Watkins reflected on reaching the century‑goal milestone, describing it as "a milestone every striker dreams of" and hinting at his next target: 100 Premier League goals. He emphasized the team's collective fitness and form, adding that the prospect of competing for both a Champions League berth and a European trophy felt "almost unbelievable". When asked about an England recall, Watkins summed it up succinctly: "Keep scoring goals – that's all I can do." Captain John McGinn praised the squad's performance, noting that the early goal and dominant first half were crucial in securing the semi‑final berth.
He also highlighted the club's broader ambitions, stating that the team remains focused on breaking into the top five of the Premier League while relishing the European run. Emir, speaking to the press, underscored the significance of the upcoming tie, reminding fans that both Villa and Forest have storied histories in Europe, with Forest having lifted the European Cup twice.
He described the semi‑final as a "great spectacle for supporters" and hinted at the possibility of a final showdown, acknowledging the difficulty of navigating the penultimate stage of a continental competition. Bologna manager Vincenzo Italiano lamented his side's shortcomings, admitting that the first‑leg defeat had placed them on the back foot.
He praised Villa's clinical finishing and noted that any mistake was swiftly punished by the English side. Despite the loss, Italiano maintained respect for Villa's quality, calling them "a valuable team" and expressing disappointment at missing out on the Champions League by a single goal earlier in the season. The victory also propelled Watkins to the top of Villa's all‑time scoring chart in major European competitions, overtaking club legends Peter Withe and John McGinn with ten goals.
He joins an elite group of Premier League players – Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland – who have reached 100 goals in all competitions since debuting for their clubs. Fans can stay updated on the latest developments by following Sky Sports on WhatsApp, where news, video highlights, analysis and exclusive features are regularly posted. The upcoming semi‑final promises high drama, with both Villa and Forest aiming to secure a place in the final and keep their Champions League hopes alive.