Overview

• John McGinn scored from distance in the 13th minute at Villa Park to secure a 1-0 victory over Bologna.
• Ollie Watkins came off the bench, won a penalty and saw it saved, extending his ongoing goal drought.
• Unai Emery made four changes from the weekend, with Marco Bizot preferred to Emiliano Martínez and producing key late saves.
• Bologna applied heavy late pressure as Santiago Castro hit the crossbar and headers from Emil Holm and Martin Vitik were denied.
• The result follows a poor domestic start and Monchi’s resignation earlier in the week, with Emery leaning on his Europa League pedigree to rebuild momentum.