Aston Villa take on fellow UCL debutants Bologna in midweek clash.

2024-10-16

In an enticing Champions League showdown, Aston Villa aim to make history at Villa Park against Bologna, who are seeking their first group stage win under new management.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa will hope to continue their strong form in the UEFA Champions League after an impressive 1-0 win against six-time champions Bayern Munich at Villa Park on Match Day 2. This statement victory followed their 3-0 triumph over Young Boys in Switzerland on Match Day 1, marking their return to the competition in style.

If the Villans manage another win without conceding against fellow debutants Bologna on Tuesday, they will become only the third team since 1992-93 to win their opening three UCL games without conceding, joining the ranks of Malaga in 2012 and Leicester City in 2016.

Villa is riding a wave of confidence, having secured their third win in five matches with a 3-1 comeback victory over Fulham in the Premier League, which elevated them into the top four. "Now we’re going to prepare for the Champions League, and we’re enjoying the Champions League because last year we performed perfectly in the Premier League, being very consistent," said manager Unai Emery following their recent success.

This upcoming match will be their first encounter with Bologna in any competition. Villa's record against Italian sides in major European competitions includes four losses in six games, with their two victories coming from home wins over Inter Milan in the UEFA Cup.

Ollie Watkins, a scorer against Fulham, is expected to lead the attack in a 4—2—3—1 formation. The only absentee for Villa is Robin Olsen, who is sidelined with a head injury until November.

Bologna

Bologna are coming off two straight draws, following a disappointing 2-2 draw with Genoa in Serie A on Saturday. It was the third draw in the last five games for the Rossoblù [WDLDD], who have failed to measure up to the standard they set last season as they are currently 13th in Serie A.

Manager Vincenzo Italiano, who joined in the summer, has not had a rosy start to life at the club, having won just one of 10 matches across all competitions in this campaign. After a return to Europe with a goalless draw with Shakhtar Donetsk on MD 1, Bologna lost 2-0 to Liverpool on MD 2.

Failure to find the net on Tuesday will see them become the first side to do so in their opening three UCL games since Austria Wien in 2013-14. Italiano will likely mirror Emery's 4-2-3-1, with Santiago Castro leading the line.