Europa League: Aston Villa cruise to the semi-final

Aston Villa made light work of Serie A side Bologna in the Europa League quarter-final second leg with a 4-0 win, 7-1 on aggregate.

The Premier League side has given the Rossoblu a mountain to climb after a 3-1 win in the first leg. 

Unfortunately, this is the second time they have suffered this season in the Europa League, having been beaten 1-0 in the opening league phase fixture on September 25.

Villa added to their advantage within 16 minutes in Birmingham, as Aston Villa carved Bologna apart with a well-worked team move. 

Morgan Rogers rolled across from the left for Ollie Watkins to tap in from three yards. The English man has also scored 100 goals for villa.

Bologna had a chance as Federico Bernardeschi stung Martinez’s gloves from distance.

After a VAR review, the hosts were awarded a penalty as Vitik’s flailing arm as a cross struck it. 

However, Federico Ravaglia saved the Morgan Rogers spot-kick. 

Their celebration didn’t last as they conceded the second goal on a throw-in. Emiliano Buendia drilled in at the near post from a tricky angle to double their lead.

Villa got the third from textbook teamwork. Martinez released a long ball to John McGinn, who sent it down the left, where Rogers again beat Ravaglia at the near post.

Despite Vincenzo Italiano making a triple change at halftime, they couldn’t reduce the deficit.  Riccardo Orsolini’s effort was deflected wide, while Martinez smothered the Nikola Moro strike.

Ravaglia was called into action with a save this time at the near post on Lucas Digne.

Digne also stopped them from scoring with a last-ditch block on  Orsolini’s effort after Martinez was beaten.

Juan Miranda prevented the fourth when he charged down a Leon Bailey strike.

But they couldn’t stop Villa from scoring the fourth goal on the resulting corner, which was deflected up into the air for a spectacular Ezri Konsa acrobatic volley from five yards.