Aston Villa seeks to continue its positive ways in the Champions League intact as Bologna jets into Villa Park on Tuesday evening. With victories in opening two group phase matches, Unai Emery’s men seek shelter at the summit. Bologna has not had the best run this season and hopes this match could bring them a change in fortunes.
Aston Villa vs. Bologna: Preview
Aston Villa comes into this game on a brilliant streak both in the Premier League and Champions League. Emery’s men earned a memorable 1-0 win over Bayern Munich on their previous European outing courtesy of a late, superb strike by Jhon Duran. That came after a 3-0 win over Young Boys that saw Aston Villa post a perfect start in the group stage.
The opposite is true of Bologna’s season so far. Winners of just one in the last 10 games in all competitions, they now find themselves 13th in Serie A and have managed to pick up just one point from their first two Champions League outings. Held scoreless against Shakhtar Donetsk, they were beaten 3-0 by Liverpool. Bologna will seek to frustrate Villa and leave with a point.
Aston Villa vs. Bologna: Team News and Head-to-Head
Aston Villa welcomed some of their best players back. Boubacar Kamara and Tyrone Mings are back in the fold, solving their respective long-term knee problems. John McGinn also returned from a hamstring problem during the weekend action against Fulham. The added depth will enable Emery to rotate his squad ahead of a hectic schedule. This would probably mean that Ollie Watkins starts up front, with in-form Morgan Rogers most likely to retain his place in the lineup.
Meanwhile, injuries have hurt Bologna. Dan Ndoye, Michel Aebischer, and Samuel Iling-Junior are some big guns missing from Vincenzo Italiano’s squad. Lewis Ferguson has managed to return to training and thus may be thrown into battle off the bench. Otherwise, teen striker Santiago Castro gets a look to start up front while captain Riccardo Orsolini provides width on the right-hand side.
Head-to-Head
This will be a historic match between Aston Villa and Bologna, the first match in any competition.
Potential Starting XI
Aston Villa: Emiliano Martinez; Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos, Pau Torres; Lucas Digne; Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans, John McGinn, Morgan Rogers, Jacob Ramsey; Ollie Watkins.
Bologna: Lukasz Skorupski; Stefan Posch, Jhon Lucumi, Sam Beukema, Thiago Cionek; Remo Freuler, Nicolas Moro; Giovanni Fabbian, Riccardo Orsolini, Jesper Karlsson; Santiago Castro
Prediction
Aston Villa arrives in this match as the favorite, fresh from their unbeaten run and good home form. In the attack, they have talent with Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers in great form to break down Bologna’s defense. On the defensive side, their record in the Champions League has been rich for Aston Villans, with two successive clean sheets. Meanwhile, Bologna has been well below average in front of the goal, especially in the Champions League, where they are yet to score a goal.
With Aston Villa’s attacking quality and solid defense, they should edge out Bologna in what could be a closely contested match. Bologna will most likely use the waiting game, but Aston Villa’s home advantage and recent form suggest they’ll secure another Champions League victory.
Match Details
Date: Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Time: 8:00 PM BST
Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham, England
For More Great Content
Craving top-tier content that covers it all? From electrifying sports highlights and insider entertainment news to expert gaming tips and sharp betting advice, we’ve got you covered. Dive into our curated articles to stay ahead of the game with the latest sports action, uncover the hottest trends in entertainment, and get the lowdown on gaming strategies that could level up your play.
Plus, our betting advice will sharpen your edge and boost your chances of winning big. Whether you’re looking to stay updated or gain a competitive edge, our content is your go-to source for all things exciting and relevant. Don’t miss out—explore now and power up your knowledge! Follow us on Twitter/X @TotalApexSports, to stay informed.
