By Our Man in Bologna
BOLOGNA 1 (Rowe 90’)
ASTON VILLA 3 (Konsa 44’, Watkins 51’, 90+4’)
UNAI EMERY’S Europa League love affair continues to sizzle as Ollie Watkins inspired a clinical 3-1 demolition of Bologna to put Aston Villa on the brink of the semi-finals.
The England star—who is quickly becoming the most feared marksman on the continent—bagged a brilliant brace in the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium, leaving the Italian hosts wondering what hit them. While the pasta in Bologna is world-class, the home side’s defending was strictly “budget range” as Villa pounced with the ruthlessness of a shark in a paddling pool.
The Knight in Shining Armor
For 40 minutes, Villa were under the cosh. Bologna, fueled by a raucous home crowd and the trickery of Jonathan Rowe, hit the woodwork twice and even saw a goal chalked off by a toe-length VAR decision.
But just when the Italians thought they were in control, Ezri Konsa rose like a salmon from a sea of red-and-blue shirts. The defender met a Youri Tielemans corner with a bullet header in the 44th minute, silencing the locals and sending the 4,000 travelling Villans into delirium.
Watkins’ Italian Job
If Konsa’s opener was a sucker punch, Watkins’ first of the night was a knockout blow. Six minutes after the restart, the Villa talisman sniffed out a defensive horror show from Torbjorn Heggem. Watkins pounced on a loose ball, danced past a sprawling Federico Ravaglia, and coolly slotted home.
Bologna gave their fans a glimmer of hope when the impressive Jonathan Rowe curled in a beauty in the 90th minute to make it 2-1. But Watkins wasn’t finished with his Italian Job.
Deep into stoppage time, with the hosts throwing everyone forward, Watkins rose highest from another corner to nod home his second of the night and Villa’s third. It was a masterclass in clinical finishing that has the Midlands dreaming of their first major trophy in 30 years.
Emery’s Masterplan
The “Master of the Europa League” Unai Emery has now led Villa to three wins over Bologna in two seasons. With a two-goal cushion heading back to Villa Park next week, the semi-finals are beckoning.
Bologna might have had the style, but Villa had the stars. And in Ollie Watkins, they have a supernova.
