Home SportsBologna v Aston Villa: Europa League quarter-final, first leg – live

Bologna v Aston Villa: Europa League quarter-final, first leg – live

by Owen Clarke
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Bologna v Aston Villa: Europa League quarter-final, first leg – live

Europa League quarter-final action continues as Bologna host Aston Villa in the first leg of their tie, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm BST.

The match comes amid a busy evening of European football, with Porto v Nottingham Forest also taking place. Readers can follow developments as they happen, while the broader picture of the competition continues to shift with each result.

Team news before kick-off

One notable selection is Youri Tielemans, who starts for Aston Villa for the first time since January. His return to the starting line-up is one of the main points of interest heading into the game.

Bologna, meanwhile, include Jonathan Rowe in their line-up. Rowe began his career at Norwich and now features for the Italian side in this quarter-final first leg.

The Bologna team is led by Scotland international Lewis Ferguson, who captains the side as they prepare to face Premier League opposition on home soil.

What is at stake

This is the first leg of a two-match contest, so both sides will be looking to take an advantage into the return fixture. For Aston Villa, the trip to Italy offers a chance to build momentum in Europe. For Bologna, it is an opportunity to make home advantage count against a strong opponent.

With the tie only just beginning, the opening stages could be significant. Early control, discipline and efficiency in front of goal are likely to matter in a match where neither team can afford to give away too much.

As the game gets underway, team selection, individual returns and the atmosphere in Bologna all add to the sense of occasion around this quarter-final encounter.

More updates will follow as the match develops.

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