The Matchday 1 fixture of the 2025/26 Europa League group stage between Aston Villa (England) and Bologna (Italy) will take place on September 25 at Villa Park in Birmingham. Aston Villa vs. Bologna: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Aston Villa
Last season, the Birmingham side finished sixth in the Premier League, earning a spot in the Europa League group stage. This will be Aston Villa's first appearance in the main draw of this tournament, having reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League in the 2024/25 season, where they lost to PSG on aggregate (1-3, 3-2). Notably, the club has won 4 of their last 5 European matches, scoring at least three goals in each victory.
- The team has won 11 of their last 13 home matches in European club tournaments.
- The club's players have scored at least twice in 9 of their previous 11 home matches in European competition.
- At least three goals have been scored in 8 of Aston Villa's last 11 home matches in European competitions.
Predicted lineup for Aston Villa (4-5-1)
Emiliano Martinez – Tyrone Mings, Matty Cash, Lucas Digne, Ezri Konsa – Evan Ndicka, Emiliano Buendia, John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara, Morgan Rogers – Ollie Watkins.
Defender Andres Garcia, as well as midfielders Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana, and Ross Barkley, will miss the match due to injuries.
Bologna
The team secured a spot in the Europa League group stage after winning the Coppa Italia last season. This will be Bologna's debut in the main draw of this European competition, having participated in the Champions League in the 2024/25 season, where they only reached the group stage. It's worth noting that the Italian side has managed just one win in their last eight European matches (3 draws, 4 losses). Additionally, the club's players failed to score in five of those encounters.
- No more than two goals have been scored in 6 of the team's last 8 European matches.
- The club's players have scored at most once in 7 of their last 8 European matches.
- The Italians have not lost by more than one goal in their last five European club tournament matches.
Predicted lineup for Bologna (4-5-1)
Lukasz Skorupski – Lorenzo De Silvestri, Thorbjørn Heggem, Martin Vitik, Juan Mirandas – Riccardo Orsolini, Remo Freuler, Nikola Moro, Federico Bernardeschi, Benja Dominguez – Santiago Castro.
Defender Nicolo Casale, midfielders Ibrahim Sulemana and Tommaso Pobega, as well as forward Ciro Immobile, will not play due to injuries.
Referee
Jesus Gil Manzano (Spain)
Matches – 10 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 40;
Average yellow cards per match – 4;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 30%.
Aston Villa vs. Bologna: Match Prediction
The English side has been successful at home in European competitions and, in my opinion, is quite capable of maintaining their strong home record. Over their last 13 home matches in European club tournaments, the team has secured 11 victories, defeating even such opponents as PSG and Bayern Munich. Additionally, in their last three home matches in European competitions, the players have scored ten goals.
Bologna, on the other hand, cannot boast of their results in official international matches, having won just one of their last eight European encounters, which was achieved in a home match. The team also struggles in away games in Serie A, suffering four consecutive defeats. It's also worth noting that in last season's Champions League, the Italians faced Aston Villa on their turf and lost 0-2.
I expect the English side to secure three points in this match, and my prediction: Aston Villa to win
