Aston Villa is set to take on Bologna at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on Thursday evening, aiming to secure an away victory in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarterfinal matchup. Following a strong 2-0 victory against West Ham United in their most recent competitive outing, the Villans head into this clash with optimism about achieving a favorable result in Italy.
Under the guidance of Unai Emery, the team is likely to adopt a 4-4-2 formation, with several changes anticipated in the starting XI for this encounter. Notably, both Emi Buendia and Youri Tielemans are expected to feature from the outset.
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Predicted Aston Villa Lineup (4-4-2) Against Bologna
Defense
Emiliano Martinez will take his position in goal for the Villans, aiming for a clean sheet during this away fixture. Ezri Konsa will partner Pau Torres in the center of the Villa defense, tasked with neutralizing Bologna’s attacking threats throughout the match.
Matty Cash is set to impress as the right-back, while Lucas Digne will look to make his mark on the left. Both defenders will need to carefully choose their moments to join the attacking play.
Tyrone Mings will provide additional defensive support from the bench.
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BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – APRIL 08: John McGinn of Aston Villa observes during a training session ahead of the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Quarter-Final First Leg match against Bologna at Bodymoor Heath training ground on April 08, 2026, in Birmingham, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Midfield
Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana will form the backbone of the midfield, striving to dominate possession and create promising opportunities for their teammates in the final third.
John McGinn will contribute a hard-working effort on the right flank, while Emi Buendia aims to showcase his skills on the left side. Both players will look to push forward and make incisive runs behind the Bologna defense.
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Douglas Luiz and Ross Barkley may be called upon from the bench, ready to make an impact in the second half if needed.
Attack
Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins will spearhead the attack for the West Midlands outfit. Their synergy will be crucial if the Villans hope to return with a commendable result from Italy this Thursday.
Tammy Abraham will also be available on the bench as a potential option for the team.