<p>Aston Villa will host Bologna at Villa Park on Friday, September 26, at 05:00 AEST, as the two sides get their <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/uefa-competitions/uefa-europa-league">2025/26 UEFA Europa League</a> campaigns underway.</p> <p>Both clubs will make their debut appearance in the reformed competition since the format was changed, with both having qualified automatically for the tournament based on their domestic league positions last season.</p> <p>The two were both involved in the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/uefa-competitions/uefa-champions-league/betting">UEFA Champions League</a> last season, with the English side managing to reach the quarter-finals before being eliminated late on by eventual winners PSG in their debut campaign. The Italians, meanwhile, were knocked out in the group stage as they managed just one win match.</p> <h2>Aston Villa vs Bologna Betting Preview</h2> <p>In fact, it was last season’s UEFA Champions League league phase in which these two teams last met. The two faced each other at Villa Park almost a year ago (October 2024), in which the English side managed to record a 2-0 victory. John McGinn and Jhon Duran were goal scorers on the day, although only the Scottish player remains with the club this time around.</p> <p>However, Unai Emery’s side have been struggling this season domestically. They sit around the bottom of the Premier League table (ahead of their weekend fixture with Sunderland), having failed to score a goal. They have two draws and two defeats so far.</p> <p>With players like Ollie Watkins, Donyell Malen, and Morgan Rodgers all seeking confidence, they will all be hoping to kickstart their season and find the net, if indeed they make it onto the pitch. Emery could opt for other players as he may focus on their domestic form as a priority.</p> <p>Bologna have one win and two defeats from their opening three Serie A games (ahead of their contest with Genoa). Each game has finished 1-0 so far, with Riccardo Orsolini being the only one to have scored a goal so far.</p> <p>Still, Vincenzo Italiano is able to call upon many players with star quality, including some fresh faces. The experienced Federico Bernardeschi is one of those, as he links up with Ciro Immobile in the final third. Jonathan Rowe is another attacker to have recently joined the team, while captain Lewis Ferguson looks to continue his fine career in Italy.</p> <h2>Aston Villa vs Bologna Betting Predictions</h2> <p>The <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/uefa-competitions/uefa-europa-league/aston-villa-v-bologna-9583299">Aston Villa vs Bologna</a><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/uefa-competitions/uefa-europa-league/aston-villa-v-bologna-9583299"> betting odds</a> have the Villans as the overwhelming favourites for this contest, despite their early goalscoring woes. European soccer can give sides a lift, as we saw with the English outfit last year. In addition, their victory over Bologna last year will provide additional confidence.</p> <p>Still, the ‘Under 2.5 Goals' market provides the best value in terms of goals, as it’s unlikely that the goals will be free-flowing. As an extension of this bet, the ‘Aston Villa 1-0’ as a ‘Correct Score’ could be the bet to offer the most value.</p>