Aston Villa thrash Bologna to set up Forest semi-final
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris hails Unai Emery’s ‘well-organised’ Villa and relishes the Villa Park test on Sunday.
Villa crush Bologna 4-0 to reach the Europa League semi-final. Italiano says they ‘belong in the Champions League’ and backs them to win it. Watkins hits 100, Buendia, Rogers and Konsa also score.
Villa chase Champions League via top five and Europa League, and remain on course before hosting Sunderland.
Predictions tip Aston Villa to beat Sunderland 2-0 on Sunday, with Emery’s side buoyed by Europa League progress. Livescore
Predicted Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen, Onana, Tielemans, McGinn, Rogers, Buendia, Watkins. Bailey and Barkley options, Mings a possible change, Sancho likely on bench.
Villa reach a second European semi-final in three seasons under Unai Emery, marking a dramatic rise a decade after relegation.
Villa thrash Bologna 4-0. Rogers shines with an assist and goal after a saved penalty, Buendia sharp, Watkins scores, and Konsa late strike. Martinez, Digne, Onana impress as Emery books a semi-final spot.
With Villa and Forest meeting in a Europa League semi-final, the piece recalls famous all-English European clashes, notably Liverpool’s 2005 win over Chelsea en route to Istanbul.
Emery hails Villa’s ‘special’ Europa League semi-final with Nottingham Forest after a 7-1 win over Bologna. He praised the ruthless first half and Watkins’ 100th goal.
Watkins reaches 100 Aston Villa goals, the first since Peter McParland in 1960/61 to hit the milestone, achieving it in his sixth season and 269th appearance with his 13th goal of the season.
Villa crush Bologna 4-0 for 7-1 aggregate win. Watkins nets 100th Villan goal, Buendia and Rogers strike after a missed penalty, Konsa adds late fourth. Emery’s side set up a semi-final with Nottingham Forest.
Report claims Man Utd are assessing Villa boss Unai Emery as a summer option, despite his long-term Villa deal to 2029.
Villa join Roma, Brighton and Frankfurt in the race for Bayern prospect Noel Aseko after his Hannover loan. Bayern could sell for €10-12m; contract runs to 2028.
Forest beat Porto 1-0 as Morgan Gibbs-White scores, confirming an all-Premier League Europa League semi-final against Aston Villa.
