Aston Villa began last week’s first leg slowly, but they overcame a few setbacks to take a substantial lead.
More than a month after their last competitive encounter, Villa initially rode their luck at Stadio Dall’Ara – Bologna had a goal called out for offside and hit the crossbar – before seizing control of the tie.
Ezri Konsa put them ahead against the run of play, before Ollie Watkins scored twice, followed by Jonathan Rowe’s well-taken comeback for the Rossoblu.
Unai Emery’s side is in a very excellent position to advance after regaining a two-goal lead with nearly the last play.
Villa, coached by four-time winner Emery, a proven specialist at navigating the final stages, have already won eight consecutive games in UEFA’s second-tier tournament since losing to Go Ahead Eagles in Deventer.
On Sunday, the 1982 continental winners faced another European Cup-winning club from the Midlands, Nottingham Forest, in an entertaining Premier League draw.
Morgan Rogers struck the crossbar before he and Watkins squandered good chances to win all three points at the City Ground, but Villa stay firmly in England’s top five and on track for more Champions League play.
Emery’s team might face Forest again in the Europa League semi-finals, but first they must defeat Bologna.
Precedent suggests they should: the Villans have won 15 of their previous 17 European home games, including all eight in a row, and they average two goals per game at Villa Park this season.
