Aston Villa started their Europa League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Bologna, with John McGinn scoring just their third goal of the season.
Unai Emery’s side have endured a tough start to the Premier League season, currently sitting 18th on three points, without a single win. But the Villans managed to record their first victory of the season in the Europa League.
This could be exactly what Emery’s side need to gain confidence and get their first Premier League win. Despite holding 47% possession, Villa put in a strong performance, taking 12 shots with 1.24 Expected Goals.
In this article, we’ll cover
- Fantastic Promotions
- Fun Social Media Content
- New Bookmaker
#AD 18+ 7-day free bet expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional Terms Apply. GambleAware.org
Emery’s “split strikers”
Emery’s set up against Bologna was interesting, as Vincenzo Italiano’s side looked to press in a man to man fashion.
Aston Villa went from their 4-2-3-1 shape into a fairly narrow 4-2-2-2 shape on the ball, forming a 4-2 base in build up, allowing Emiliano Buendia to join Morgan Rogers in central areas and having Evann Guessand push up alongside Donyell Malen as an outlet.
This shape baited the press of Bologna to step forward, leaving both Guessand and Malen in a 2v2 on the last line, offering an option to play over the press.
Emery’s strategy clearly worked, carving Bologna open on a number of occasions, with Rogers and Buendia latching onto second balls whenever Malen and Guessand couldn’t get the ball under control themselves.
Set-piece creativity
One area Aston Villa are clearly looking to invest more time into is set-pieces. They came up with some creative routines against Bologna, one of which led to the only goal of the game.
Villa set-piece coach Austin MacPhee was orchestrating from the sidelines, as the players made a huddle at the back post, before going short and zipping one along the ground into the box.
While the original routine didn’t end in a goal, with Rogers missing the ball in his attempt at a sweeping finish, Villa were able to keep the pressure on. And McGinn struck one from outside the box into the bottom right corner.
Emery’s men had a few chances from set-pieces in the second half too, starting with similar clusters at the near post, before going short and whipping it in as the near post cluster made their way back towards the middle of the box.
- Aston Villa Expected Goals in the Premier League from set-pieces in 2025-26: 0.93
- Aston Villa shots in the Premier League from set-pieces in 2025-26: 17
- Aston Villa goals in the Premier League from set-pieces in 2025-26: 1
Midfield domination
Aston Villa’s game plan was clearly well thought out. But their dominance in the middle of the park was imperative to make it work.
Looking to play more directly through the lines and configure artificial transitions for their split strikers, Villa often gifted possession back to Bologna, allowing them to have a little more control in the match.
This made the two middle men for Emery’s side key, as McGinn and Boubacar Kamara covered large ground in their 4-4-2 pressing scheme, winning duels and stopping Bologna from gaining momentum by sustaining pressure.
Kamara made five tackles in the game, winning eight of his 12 ground duels, all four of his aerial duels and also making two interceptions.
While McGinn had less success in his duels, the pressure and tenacity he applied alongside Kamara made it difficult for the Bologna players, helping to protect the backline.
Watkin’s woes continue
Ollie Watkins entered the fray while his side were 1-0 up in the match, replacing Malen upfront after 58 minutes.
The 29-year-old forward took up the same role as his Dutch counterpart, playing as a split forward with a left-side bias, making runs in behind and looking to exploit those 2v2 situations on the last line.
Watkin’s had success in doing this, managing 18 touches (eight of which came inside the opposition penalty area), taking three shots and winning a penalty.
However, the England international was unable to convert from the spot, making it a slightly nervier end to the game holding their one goal lead, and now going seven games without a goal so far this season.
Emery will be looking to make it two wins in two when they face Fulham at the weekend, getting his first Premier League victory of the season and inspiring some hope into the fanbase before the approaching international break.