Ollie Watkins hits 100th goal in Aston Villas rout of Bologna to secure Europa League semi final place

At the start Bologna appeared unlikely to advance yet they began brightly providing some hope. Federico Bernardeschi tested the back Emiliano Martinez with an early effort and Jonathan Rowe seemed especially threatening along the flank.

Cash handled him effectively and Aston Villa quickly showed their clinical side by going ahead in the match.

A clever sequence in midfield led to Emiliano Buendias pass reaching Morgan Rogers near the left channel and he squared for Ollie Watkins to tap in his 100th goal for the club while he also became the first Villa player to ever net 10 major European goals.

Soon after the first goal Rogers curled shot required a stop from Federico Ravaglia and the Bologna keeper denied the Villa forward once more from 25 minutes via a penalty saving firmly to his right following Martin Vitiks foul on Lucas Dignes cross that awarded the kick.

Undaunted Villa surprised Bologna right after that stop from a throw in with Dignes throw expertly taken by Buendia along the touchline then he turned inwards and fired past the keeper at the near upright.

Ravaglia’s near post fell once more in the 39th minute to a resolute Rogers who struck powerfully beyond his evenings opponent ending a 12 match scoring absence for team and nation.

That goal sealed the aggregate decisively and although Vincenzo Italiano sought to spark life into his disheartened team via three substitutions at half time the latter period proved straightforward for Villa.

The visitors seldom pushed up in the second half nevertheless they netted a fourth via Ezri Konsas superb volley while pivoting.

This outcome represents a sixth straight home shutout versus Italian teams in top European tournaments as Bologna exits the continent suffering a sixth straight road loss to English opponents three against Villa.