Unai Emery looked ahead to the challenge of another clash with Bologna.
Aston Villa have defeated the Rossoblu three times in continental competition under Emery, beating them 2-0 in the Champions League in October 2024, 1-0 on Europa League opening matchday in September 2025, and 3-1 in the first leg of the quarter-final of the same competition last Thursday.
There is a familiar face in Vincenzo Italiano who has been present in the opposition dugout for all three fixtures, so Emery knows what to expect from the Serie A side. He has highlighted their man-to-man press as a key feature of their tactical setup previously, and the Coppa Italia winners in 2025 have a winning mentality that demands respect. But apart from the threat of Jonathan Rowe, Bologna struggled for clear-cut opportunities to turn momentum into chances in the first leg.
‘They are going to play the same match’
Villa are now back on home soil, where they took the first two triumphs against the Rossoblu with a pair of clean sheets. The Villans will be favourites at Villa Park with the two-goal advantage and the leadership of a head coach who has won the trophy four times with Sevilla and Villarreal in the past.
But Emery is not entertaining that prospect, demanding a professional performance from his players.
*“We are in the quarter-final second leg and we had a good result, but this is a team that, when analysing them, watching their experience and their coach’s career playing in three finals the last three years, the respect is massive. They deserve this respect. When they were playing against Roma, maybe we could think that Roma was the favourite, and they beat the favourite.*
*“How they are competing, how they are as a team in their style and idea, how they are pushing in all their matches, we are so, so respectful. I am a coach with my own experiences, and we must play the second leg, analysing everything we did there, understanding that tomorrow is in Villa Park.*
“How we must adapt to them here and there is the same because they are going to play the same match: so, so intense, aggressive, getting duels, man-to-man, and attacking us. They are defending by attacking us; they are attacking by attacking us; and I respect and appreciate their performance a lot.
*“[**Santiago Castro*] is progressing a lot. We played against them in September and he was a very good striker, but now he’s even better. He threatened us a lot and we must defend him strongly because he’s very good in duels, he’s very good at heading, and he’s very good at running in behind.
*“Not only with him, Riccardo Orsolini, Federico Bernardeschi and Jonathan Rowe – they have a lot of very important players, individually with their skills. Of course, Castro is one player we knew, and now how he’s progressing is really fantastic.*
“We are ready to start winning or to start losing (at the beginning of the game). We are ready. I have given the players the message that anything can happen. Keep the game plan tomorrow, extending the first leg we played. How we scored the third goal was really fantastic and important, but they can score one goal in one moment. We must be ready for it.”
‘To play in Europe and a quarterfinal is a privilege’
The Villans are fighting for objectives on two fronts to try to return to Europe’s elite competition.
Liverpool closed the gap to fourth place to three points with a 2-0 win over Fulham, Villa, who drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest on Sunday. But Emery’s men are also level on 55 points with third placed Manchester United after their 2-1 defeat to Leeds United on Monday, and another loss for Chelsea(3-0 to Manchester City) has left them chasing the Champions League qualification spots.
The squad has settled into the rhythm of playing midweek matches across the continent, and their competitiveness is impressive given the minimal impact of transfer incomings from the summer. There were positives updates about the health of the first-choice goalkeeper for this fixture, and Emery implored his players to perform with pride as they seek to maximise the next two months.
“We have a very good team, creating our strong structure individually and collectively, and we are competing, we are performing and we are getting good results. Tomorrow, starting the match from the first minute, we must be focused 100%.
*“Today he is training with us, Emiliano Martinez. Normally, he is going to be available for tomorrow. And tomorrow we will decide.”*
*“[**Jadon Sancho*] is coming back and, of course, he is a fantastic player. He needs to be consistent, I think he has been demanding and he adapted in our structure, progressively getting better. It’s a pity in the last two weeks he’s been injured because he finished before the break fantastic.
“We are playing matches to check everything and to get our objectives collectively. Individually, hopefully, we can get the best of him.
“This is our challenge. To play in Europe and to play a quarterfinal is a privilege. I am sharing it with the players, the club and the supporters and enjoying it. I like it a lot to play in Europe.
*“I am so excited about how we are getting the last matches in the Premier League and how we are competing in the Europa League, I’m enjoying it a lot. Tomorrow is a challenge but it’s a match we must be really focused on and respectful of. I am enjoying today, I will be enjoying this afternoon, this evening, I’m going to enjoy tomorrow morning. Each moment we are in the process, preparing the games, I am so, so happy. I am trying to share it with the players and the supporters.*
“Tomorrow at Villa Park I expect a huge atmosphere, helping us, supporting us, enjoying. When we are in trouble they must help us, the supporters, and they are going to push the players to play with energy, to play organised, to play with all the demands we will have from the opponent. And then we will play with personality.”