The first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League quarterfinals took place, with Aston Villa defeating Bologna 3-1 away from home thanks to goals from Konsa and Watkins.


In the 14th minute, Aston Villa midfielder Buendía was brought down by Bologna defender John Lucumi during an attack, and the referee showed Lucumi a yellow card. In the 21st minute, Bernardeschi delivered a cross, and Juan Miranda attempted a bicycle kick, but the ball was saved by Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.


Bologna then attacked again, with Jonathan Roh passing the ball from the penalty area, but Bernardeschi's shot hit the post. In the 26th minute, Santiago Castro crossed the ball into the penalty area, and Konsa, attempting to clear it, inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net. However, after VAR intervention, it was ruled offside, and the goal was disallowed.


In the 29th minute, Louis Ferguson received a pass from Jonathan Rowe and shot from inside the penalty area, but the ball hit the post. In the 38th minute, Aston Villa attempted a counter-attack. Morgan Rodgers passed the ball to McGinn, who received it and fired a long-range shot, but it went wide of the post.


In the 44th minute, Tielemans took a corner kick, and Konsa headed the ball into the net, giving Aston Villa a 1-0 lead. In first-half stoppage time, Tommaso Pobega created an attacking opportunity, and Jonathan Rowe followed up with a shot, but the ball was blocked.


In the 48th minute of the second half, Tommaso Pobega received a pass back from Jonathan Roe in the penalty area and curled a shot, but the ball went over the goal. In the 51st minute, Bologna made a mistake, Buendia gained possession and chipped the ball to Watkins, who then entered the penalty area and fired a low shot into the net, giving Aston Villa a 2-0 lead over Bologna.


In the 62nd minute, Juan Miranda passed the ball to Jonathan Rooney, who curled a shot wide. In the 69th minute, Buendia received a pass from Tielemans outside the penalty area and fired a long-range shot, but the ball went over the goal. In the 78th minute, Bologna's attack was cleared, and Bernardeschi received the ball and shot, but the ball hit the post.


In the 79th minute, Bologna continued their attack. Bernardeschi headed the ball across, and Santiago Castro's shot from the penalty area was blocked. In the 90th minute, John Lucoumi passed the ball to Jonathan Rowe, who followed up and curled a shot into the net, helping Bologna pull one back to 2-1.


In stoppage time of the second half, Tielemans took a corner kick, and Watkins fired a low shot into the net, helping Aston Villa extend their lead to 3-1.


Aston Villa ultimately defeated Bologna 3-1 away from home.


Image source: Internet