Aston Villa seize Bologna lead as Watkins hits two
PSG join Arsenal, Man United and Chelsea in tracking Villa’s Morgan Rogers despite a deal to 2031. Reported bids near €100m mooted, with Boro due 20% and Villa’s finances cited, though no offer yet.
Preview tips a draw with over 1.5 goals. Villa chase fourth after a 3-1 win at Bologna, Forest fight relegation. Kamara out, Sancho expected out until late April. Villa seek first City Ground win since 1993. Livescore
Despite scoring, Konsa endures a shaky display in Villa’s 3-1 win at Bologna. Collymore posts ‘Konsa is having one’ before the header. Stats show few defensive wins and an error leading to a shot.
Villa announce Bayern Munich friendly in Hong Kong as the inaugural Audi Football Summit, fuelling talk Audi could become front-of-shirt sponsor after Betano exit amid Premier League betting ban.
Explainer on European spots: scenarios include Villa winning the Europa League impacting extra Champions League places, FA Cup outcomes and how finishing positions could shift Europa and Conference League slots.
Rogers felt he was fouled by Bernardeschi, but ex-ref Keith Hackett backs the no-penalty call in Villa’s 3-1 win at Bologna. Rogers toils with few touches and low xG, leaving a point to prove at Villa Park.
Watkins hits a late brace and Konsa scores as Villa win 3-1 at Bologna. VAR denies Castro, Martinez saves, Rowe replies late before Watkins restores a two-goal lead ahead of the Villa Park second leg.
Bologna boss Vincenzo Italiano calls Villa ‘the favourites’ and urges clinical finishing in the Europa League quarter-final, praising Emery’s record while outlining plans to exploit spaces with Ferguson and Pobega.
Hargreaves hails Tielemans’ ‘brilliant’ corner for Konsa after Bologna keeper’s ‘nightmare’. The Belgian impresses on return as Villa prevail 3-1 with Watkins adding a second-half strike.
Report claims Dortmund are intensifying plans to re-sign Jadon Sancho after his Villa loan, monitoring him ‘intensively’. Free transfer, €6-7m wages and bonus mooted, but longer-term demands a concern.
Villa, Spurs, Everton, Leeds and Fulham scout Southampton winger Leo Scienza after a strong season. Under contract to 2029, he has 6 goals and 8 assists, with Saints braced for summer interest.
Emery says Roma loan with obligation for Donyell Malen was a ‘good deal’. Malen wanted to play centre-forward with Watkins ahead. Fee totals €27m including loan, leaving Villa a slight gain.
Unai Emery says Jadon Sancho will face a late fitness test after a shoulder injury. Alysson resumes group training. Boubacar Kamara remains out. Villa assess players before Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
