These two clubs met for the very first time as recently as last October, with Aston Villa winning a Champions League clash 2-0 in Birmingham; John McGinn and Jhon Durán the scorers.
The Villans are unbeaten in four home matches against Italian opposition; Bologna are winless in five meetings with English clubs, their sole victory in England coming against West Bromwich Ablion in an Inter-Cities Fairs Cup tie in 1967.
Aston Villa vs Bologna preview
In the last two seasons, Aston Villa have reached the Conference League semi-finals and the Champions League quarter-finals, so how far will they go in the Europa League? The Villans last featured in this competition in 1999/00, ousted in the third round by eventual winner Galatasaray, but they do have Europa League king Unai Emery at the helm, having reached the final of this tournament five times, winning the trophy on four occasions, so will he add to his haul in İstanbul on 20 May?
Well, after a miserable start to this campaign, Villa supporters probably aren't booking flights to Türkiye just yet. On Sunday, despite being up against ten men for around an hour, the Claret and Blue Army were held to a 1-1 draw by Sunderland at the Stadium of Light; Matty Cash's rocket fired them in front on Wearside, but they could not hold on. That was their first Premier League goal of the season, as Aston Villa remain winless, having also been eliminated from the EFL Cup by Brentford.
In the Europa League, after this, Maccabi Tel Aviv, BSC Young Boys and RB Salzburg will also visit Villa Park, while they'll face Feyenoord, Go Ahead Eagles, Basel and Fenerbahçe away from home. Having finished eighth in last season's inaugural Champions League league phase, a top eight finish has to be the aim again, hoping for a first victory of the season from this clash on Thursday night.
As for Bologna, they have enjoyed quite the rapid rise in recent seasons, first competing in the Champions League for the first time since 1964 this time last year. Then, in May, I Rossoblù won major silverware for the first time in over five decades, defeating AC Milan in the Coppa Italia Final at Stadio Olimpico, with Dan Ndoye, now of Nottingham Forest, the only scorer in Rome. Having finished ninth in Serie A, that triumph is the reason they are competing in Europe for a second successive season.
Vincenzo Italiano's team have made a mixed start to this campaign, winning both home matches but losing both away from home, suffering 1-0 defeats at Roma and Milan. On Saturday, they did enjoy a dramatic 2-1 victory over Genoa at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, with Santiago Castro equalising, before Riccardo Orsolini's penalty in the ninth minute of injury time snatched all three points in Emilia-Romagna. So, can Bologna add to Aston Villa's miserable start to the season on Thursday?
Aston Villa vs Bologna head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 1.
- Aston Villa Wins: 1. Draws: Zero. Bologna Wins: Zero.
Aston Villa team news
Belgian duo Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans remain sidelined, so it was very good timing that Boubacar Kamara is now fit again, set to partner John McGinn at the base of midfield.
Elsewhere, new signings Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho both came off the bench at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, so will either start here, likely to displace Emi Buendía.
Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Bologna: (4-2-3-1): Martínez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Kamara, McGinn, Elliott, Rogers, Guessand; Watkins.
Aston Villa player to watch vs Bologna
Ollie Watkins scored just once in the Champions League last season but bagged eight in the Conference League the year before, so will he open his Europa League account on Thursday?
Bologna team news
Vincenzo Italiano is without injured trio Ibrahim Sulemana, Tommaso Pobega and new signing Ciro Immobile, who has returned to Italy following a season at Beşiktaş.
Scotland captain Lewis Ferguson will captain the side from midfield, while England under-21 Euros winner Jonathan Rowe is awaiting his full-debut, having been bombed out at Marseille.
Bologna predicted lineup vs Aston Villa: (4-3-3): Skorupski; De Silvestri, Lucumí, Heggem, Miranda; Ferguson, Freuler, Bernardeschi; Orsolini, Cambiaghi, Castro.
Bologna player to watch vs Aston Villa
Riccardo Orsolini has already scored twice this season, to add to the 17 he bagged last season, so will he be the Bologna hero at Villa Park.
Aston Villa vs Bologna prediction
We're forecasting a draw that doesn't really help either team. Aston Villa are finding goals very hard to come by, so we're backing Bologna to pick up a point in the Midlands: Aston Villa 1-1 Bologna.
Aston Villa vs Bologna FAQs - UEFA Europa League
How to watch Aston Villa vs Bologna in the Europa League on TV channel?
Aston Villa vs Bologna in the Europa League will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 1 & Ultimate.
- USA: CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ & fuboTV
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Aston Villa vs Bologna in the Europa League on live streaming?
Aston Villa vs Bologna in the Europa League will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Discovery+
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Aston Villa vs Bologna in the Europa League?
Aston Villa vs Bologna takes place on Thursday 25 September 2025, with kick off at 20:00 (BST), 15:00 (EDT) & 12:00 (PDT).