Overview
- Kickoff is 8:00 p.m. BST at Villa Park with live coverage on TNT Sports 1 in the UK and CBS Sports Network/Paramount+ in the U.S.
- Villa enter on a poor run with no domestic wins and just one Premier League goal, though bookmakers still price them as favourites.
- Team news points to midfield absences for Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans with Ross Barkley ineligible, while Boubacar Kamara’s return is being managed cautiously.
- Bologna arrive as Coppa Italia holders with mixed early-season form on the road, and coach Vincenzo Italiano has urged a braver approach after praising Villa’s quality, pace and strength.
- Sources cited by The Athletic via Football Insider say players support Emery despite a crisis of confidence, and the sides’ last Villa Park meeting ended 2-0 to the hosts in 2024.