Football
Aston Villa Vs Bologna Preview, Prediction, Team News And Predicted Lineups
Ben Horlock is a sports news and features writer who holds a degree in sports journalism (BA Hons) from Southampton Solent University. Ben has been published across a wide variety of news outlets and websites including HITC, 90min, GiveMeSport, Betfair and Zoo Magazine. As well, Ben has worked in social media for four years in the sports gambling industry. For his sins, Ben is a QPR fan and is a keen follower of all the major European football leagues.
Get to know Ben Horlock betterPublished9 hours ago on October 22, 2024
Ahead of their vital UEFA Champions League clash, we have the Aston Villa vs Bologna preview, prediction, latest team news and predicted lineups.
Aston Villa Vs Bologna Preview
Aston Villa
Villa Park is the destination as two UEFA Champions League newbies go head-to-head in a crucial battle on Tuesday night in the West Midlands.
Aston Villa will still be riding the crest of a wave after gunning down six-time winners Bayern Munich on GW2. Victory on home soil again will make it three wins from three for Unai Emery’s side in the new league phase.
The ever reliable super-sub Jhon Duran hit a stunning lob against the Bavarians in what turned out to be one of Villa’s most famous ever wins.
After successive victories over Young Boys and the Bundesliga giants, Emery is on the brink of creating history tonight. Another W will mean he becomes the fifth Spaniard to record 25 UEFA Champions League victories.
The quartet who have already achieved said milestone are Pep Guardiola, Rafa Benitez, Luis Enrique and Vincent del Bosque. Esteemed company, indeed.
Domestically, Villa heads into Tuesday’s clash off of the back of a fine 3-1 away win at Fulham. Youngster Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins and an Issa Diop own goal ensuring the points at Craven Cottage.
MATCHDAY AT VILLA PARK — UTV! 🟣 pic.twitter.com/ldeMLwCtp5
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) October 22, 2024
Bologna
For the second successive UEFA Champions League matchday, Serie A side Bologna will face English opposition away from home. Last time out, they succumbed 2-0 to Liverpool.
Ironically, that is Rossoblu’s only defeat in all competitions since the end of August. However, their form hasn’t been great with a series of draws to their name.
On GW1, the Italians and Shakhtar Donetsk played out a lethargic 0-0 stalemate at the Renato Dall’Ara. Domestically, Bologna have just one win to their name but have registered six draws. Leaving them in mid-table.
On Saturday, Vincenzo Italiano’s side were cruising to a comfortable 2-0 away win against lowly Genoa. Goals from Riccardo Orsolini and Jens Odegaard put them ahead before a late brace from Andrea Pinamonti ensured a share of the spoils.
Such unpredictable form is why the best football betting sites in the UK price the Serie A side at 9/2. The draw can be backed at 3/1 with Aston Villa 7/10.
Aston Villa Vs Bologna Team News
Ahead of the match, the latest Aston Villa vs Bologna team news indicates the home side may be in line to make some changes to their starting XI.
Jamaican international Leon Bailey could be rested with club-captain John McGinn set to start. The Scot made a cameo appearance against Fulham on the weekend after returning from injury.
On the topic of injuries, long-term absentees Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara are available for selection. Both had been sidelined for several months.
For Bologna, the trio of Nicolo Cambiaghi, Oussama El Azzouzi and Lewis Ferguson will definitely be unavailable. There are also doubts over Dan Ndoye, Michel Aebischer and Croatian defender Martin Erlic.
In attack, highly-rated youngster Santiago Castro is set to get the nod over Dutchman Thijs Dallinga. Skipper Riccardo Orsolini will likely start on the right-hand side at Villa Park.
Aston Villa Vs Bologna Predicted Lineups
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Onana, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Ramsey; Watkins
Bologna (4-2-3-1): Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Lucumi, Miranda; Freuler, Moro; Orsolini, Fabbian, Karlsson; Castro
Aston Villa Vs Bologna Prediction
Aston Villa will be quietly confident of making it three wins from three when they take on Bologna at Villa Park. Unai Emery’s side are in terrific form and have plenty of attacking talent at their disposal.
With that said, Liverpool found Bologna tough to break down at Anfield. The Italians are certainly no pushovers. Vincenzo Italiano’s side also have goalscorers in their side but do have defensive frailties.
That’s why we are predicting a narrow Villa win. They will be buoyed on by a passionate home crowd and have game changers on the bench. If required.
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Bologna