Aston Villa dominated Bologna at Villa Park with a commanding 4-0 victory, headlined by a standout performance from Morgan Rogers.
Aston Villa entered this Europa League fixture in fine form, boasting a perfect record in their opening matches. Bologna arrived looking to improve their standing, but the hosts proved too strong from the opening whistle.
The breakthrough came in the 16th minute when Ollie Watkins found the net. His clinical strike set the tone for a night of relentless attacking pressure from the home side.
Just nine minutes later, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Morgan Rogers stepped up and converted the chance, doubling Villa's lead in the 25th minute.
The momentum continued instantly as Emiliano Buendía added a third goal only one minute later. This rapid-fire sequence left the visitors reeling as the scoreline shifted to 3-0.
Rogers was not finished, adding his second goal of the evening in the 39th minute. By halftime, the result felt effectively decided, with the home fans in full voice.
Bologna attempted to reorganize during the break, looking for a way back into the contest. They showed more composure in the second half but struggled to unlock the Villa defense.
The visitors managed four shots on target throughout the game, yet they could not find a way past the home goalkeeper. Their frustration grew as the game remained firmly under Villa's control.
Villa remained disciplined, managing the game tempo effectively despite their significant lead. They made strategic substitutions to maintain energy levels and protect their advantage.
Late in the game, Ezri Konsa added a final flourish. He scored in the 89th minute to seal a comprehensive 4-0 victory, capping a dominant team display.
The statistics highlighted Villa's efficiency, generating an expected goals (xG) figure of 2.23 from 13 total shots. While Bologna held 54% possession, they lacked the cutting edge shown by their hosts.
This win keeps Aston Villa firmly in contention at the top of the table. For Bologna, the result highlights a difficult start to their European campaign that requires urgent tactical adjustments.
