Bologna suffered a painful 1-3 home defeat to Aston Villa in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final tie, as missed opportunities and defensive lapses proved costly on a night that promised so much for the Rossoblù.

Despite being without several key players due to injury, Bologna controlled much of the first half and looked the more dangerous side going forward. However, they were repeatedly denied by an inspired Emiliano Martinez, whose performance between the posts kept Aston Villa firmly in the contest. The Argentine goalkeeper produced a stunning save to deny Juan Miranda’s acrobatic effort, while a goal from Santiago Castro was ruled out by VAR for a marginal offside decision.

As is often the case at this level, wastefulness was punished. Just before the break, Ezri Konsa capitalised on a goalkeeping error from Federico Ravaglia, heading home from a corner to give Aston Villa a crucial lead.

The visitors tightened their grip on the game in the second half when Ollie Watkins doubled the advantage, taking full advantage of a defensive mistake involving Hegghem. To their credit, Bologna refused to fold. Efforts from Lewis Ferguson and Federico Bernardeschi both struck the woodwork, underlining the hosts’ misfortune on the night.

The breakthrough eventually came courtesy of Rowe, who pulled one back with a superbly taken goal to reignite hope inside the stadium. Yet any thoughts of a comeback were extinguished late on when Ollie Watkins grabbed his second of the night, exploiting poor defending from another set-piece situation.

2025-26, Europa League

Bologna - Aston Villa 1:3 (0:1)
Goals: Konsa, 44 (0:1); Watkins, 51 (0:2); Rowe J., 90 (1:2); Watkins, 90 (1:3)

Bologna: Ravaglia F.; Heggem; João Mário Neto; Lucumí; Juan Miranda; Pobega (Moro N., 67); Freuler (Cambiaghi, 90); Ferguson L. (Orsolini, 67); Castro S. (Odgaard, 82); Bernardeschi; Rowe J.
Substitution: Moro N. (from 67); Orsolini (from 67); Odgaard (from 82); Cambiaghi (from 90)
Bench: Pessina; Casale; Zortea; Sohm S.
Yellow Cards: Lucumí 14; Pobega 65

Aston Villa: Martinez E.; Konsa; Digne; Torres Pau; Onana A. (Bogarde L., 80); Cash; McGinn J.; Tielemans; Watkins; Buendia (Bailey, 88); Rogers M. (Maatsen I., 88)
Substitution: Bogarde L. (from 80); Maatsen I. (from 88); Bailey (from 88)
Bench: Bizot; Wright J.; Lindelöf; Mings; Douglas Luiz; Elliott H.; Andrés García; Abraham T.
Yellow Cards: Rogers M. 31