Aston Villa vs Bologna (UEFA Europa League Quarter-Finals)

Fixture Date: 16/04/2026

Competition: UEFA Europa League quarter-finals

It’s deja vu for Aston Villa as they face Bologna for a third time this season in a decisive UEFA Europa League quarter-final second-leg.

Unai Emery’s men claimed their first victory of the 2025/26 campaign with success over the Italian outfit in September, courtesy of John McGinn’s winner, and will want a repeat result as they aim to book their spot in a second European semi-final in three seasons.

The Claret and Blues finished second in the league phase of this season’s competition, winning seven of their eight games, before eliminating Lille 3-0 on aggregate in the Round of 16.

Vincenzo Italiano’s L Rossoblu earned their passage to this last-eight tie after edging out Serie A rivals Roma 5-4 after extra-time. Bologna lifted the Coppa Italia for a third time in the club’s history in 2024/25 and are currently ninth in the Italian top-flight.

Villa hosted the Serie A side in a Champions League group stage fixture last season, with John McGinn and John Dhoran on target in a 2-0 victory, and will look to harness the energy of Villa Park under the lights on Thursday 16th April as Bologna return to B6 once more.

Supporters can now pre-order a copy of this commemorative European edition of ‘The Aston Villa News & Record’. This in-demand issue will be an 84-page perfect-bound B5 size publication, in continuing with the series, and will be despatched on matchday if pre-ordered before Tuesday 14th April.

All pre-orders despatched should be expected no longer than five working days after the game. Any orders subsequently placed after the pre-order deadline will aim to be despatched within three working days.

The price for this edition is £4, plus post and packaging to a UK/Ireland address.