The Matchday 1 clash in 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
In the previous Premier League season, the Birmingham side finished sixth, earning the right to compete in the Europa League group stage. Aston Villa will play in the main draw of the Europa League for the first time in the modern history of this tournament, and in the 2024/25 season, the team reached the Champions League quarter-finals, 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 competitions.
- The club's players have scored at least twice in 9 of their last 11 home encounters in European competitions.
- At least three goals have been scored in 8 of the last 11 home games of the English side in European tournaments.
Predicted lineup for Aston Villa (4-5-1)
Emiliano Martinez – Tyrone Mings, Matty Cash, Lucas Digne, Ezri Konsa – Evan N'Dicka, Emiliano Buendia, John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara, Morgan Rogers – Ollie Watkins.
Defender Andres Garcia and midfielders Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana, and Ross Barkley will miss the match due to injuries.
Bologna
The team earned a spot in the Europa League group stage after winning the Coppa Italia last season. For Bologna, as well as their upcoming opponent, this will be their debut participation in the main draw of the Europa League. In the 2024/25 season, the team participated in the Champions League, where they were limited to the group stage. It's worth noting that the Italians have secured just one victory in their last eight European matches (3 draws, 4 losses). Furthermore, in five matches during this period, the club's players failed to score.
- No more than two goals have been scored in 6 of the team's last 8 European matches.
- The club's players have scored a maximum of one goal in 7 of their last 8 matches on the European stage.
- The Italians have not lost by more than one goal in their last five encounters in European club competitions.
Predicted lineup for Bologna (4-5-1)
Lukasz Skorupski – Lorenzo De Silvestri, Thorbjorn Heggem, Martin Vitik, Juan Miranda – 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 home statistics. Over the last 13 home matches in European club tournaments, the team has claimed 11 victories, defeating even such opponents as PSG and Bayern. Furthermore, in the last three home encounters on the European stage, the club's players have scored ten goals.
Bologna, on the other hand, cannot boast of results in official international matches, having secured just one victory in their last eight European encounters, and that was in a home match. The team also performs poorly away in Serie A, suffering four consecutive defeats. I would also like to highlight the fact that in last season's Champions League, the Italians faced Aston Villa on their home turf and lost 0-2.
I expect the English side to secure three points in this match, and my prediction: Aston Villa to win
