Overview
- Aston Villa won 3-1 away at Bologna on Thursday in the Europa League quarter-final first leg to seize command of the tie.
- Ezri Konsa headed the opener from a Youri Tielemans corner, and Ollie Watkins added two goals including a stoppage-time finish from another Tielemans delivery.
- Bologna pressed for long spells, saw a Santiago Castro goal ruled out by VAR for offside, struck the woodwork twice, and finally scored late through Jonathan Rowe.
- Youri Tielemans made his first start since January and dictated play in midfield as he created two of Villa’s three goals.
- Jhon Lucumí’s early booking triggers a ban for the return leg, and next week’s match at Villa Park will decide who meets Porto or Nottingham Forest after Forest drew 1-1 in Porto.