Aston Villa took control of their Europa League quarter-final by defeating Bologna 3-1 in the first leg, with Ollie Watkins scoring twice. The result also marked Aston Villa’s first-ever win in Italy, adding extra weight to a strong away performance.

Watkins continues a fine Europa League campaign, having now contributed to goals in three successive major European fixtures, with three goals and one assist. The forward also scored in consecutive away matches in Europe for the first time in a Villa shirt.

Bologna began aggressively at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara and thought the early pressure had paid off when Santiago Castro forced the ball over the line after a deflection off Ezri Konsa. VAR stepped in and cancelled the goal for offside during the build-up phase.

The Serie A side almost responded again when Lewis Ferguson met a close-range chance that struck the underside of the bar, bouncing away with Emiliano Martínez beaten. That miss proved costly as Bologna failed to capitalise on a spell where Villa struggled to gain control.

Just before half-time, the visitors struck against the run of play. Youri Tielemans sent over a whipped corner that floated beyond goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia’s reach, allowing Konsa to rise at the far post and head firmly into the net for the opening goal.

Six minutes after the restart, Villa extended the advantage. Torbjorn Heggem surrendered possession cheaply to Emi Buendia, whose inadvertent touch broke kindly for Watkins. The striker advanced into the box and calmly slid a low finish through Ravaglia’s legs for 2-0.

Europa League contest stays alive as Aston Villa concede late

Bologna pushed to reduce the margin and almost struck when Federico Bernardeschi drilled into the side-netting from a Jonathan Rowe cut-back. Rowe eventually gave the hosts hope with a curling shot near full-time, beating Martínez from the edge of the area.

Villa responded in stoppage time with a key third goal. Bologna again failed to clear a Tielemans corner, the delivery causing confusion in the six-yard box. Watkins reacted quickest, arriving at close range to tap in and restore the two-goal cushion.

Statistically, Villa were more efficient in front of goal despite creating fewer openings. Bologna produced 19 attempts yet generated only 0.9 expected goals, while Villa recorded 1.64 expected goals from just eight shots, showing clearer chances and sharper finishing.

This result extended Emery’s side to 11 consecutive Europa League matches with at least one goal, their longest scoring streak in the competition since detailed records began in 2007-08. Bologna, by contrast, suffered a home defeat by two or more goals in European competition for the first time.

The 3-1 advantage, Watkins’ form and Villa’s attacking consistency place Emery’s team in a strong position heading into the second leg. Bologna still retain a chance, but must improve finishing and defensive organisation to overturn the deficit away from Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.