Aston Villa will be looking to weather the current storm hanging over them when they kick off their Europa League campaign against Bologna at Villa Park.
Unai Emery is experiencing his first crisis following a brilliant two-and-a-half years, with the Villans winless from their opening five Premier League games and scoring just once in that period too.
They also went out of the Carabao Cup at the first hurdle on penalties to Brentford. To add to the Spaniard's woes, close ally Monchi is leaving his role as director of football operations.
These two sides met in last season's Champions League, and Bologna will again prove a tricky opponent with the Serie A club continuing to punch above their weight. They will be looking to make their mark in the Europa League after a reasonable start to their league campaign.
The Sporting News has all the latest ahead of this exciting opening clash.
Aston Villa vs. Bologna Form Guide & Predictions
As mentioned, Villa can't buy a win right now and look utterly toothless in front of goal with Ollie Watkins in particular struggling so far this season.
Throwing away a one-goal lead against 10-men Sunderland to draw at the weekend was the latest in a litany of poor results and performances for Emery's side.
Bologna have won two and lost two of their first four Serie A games with both defeats coming on the road albeit in narrow fashion to Roma and Milan.
Villa Park has been a fortress for Emery - who is also a record four-time winner of the Europa League - with PSG and Bayern Munich just two of the sides to fall, and Bologna were defeated 2-0 last season in the Second City.
We think a big home atmosphere and a European night will spur Villa onto a repeat and quieten some of the noise around the club.
The Sporting News Score Prediction for Aston Villa vs. Bologna
Aston Villa 2-0 Bologna
- Villa are one of the frontrunners to win the Europa League with Bologna not far behind according to the odds.
- Unai Emery is among the favourites to be the next Premier League manager to leave.
- Most of the scoreline picks for Aston Villa vs. Bologna are best price with Bet365.
Aston Villa vs. Bologna Lineups
Emery has some big calls to make and could hand new loan signings Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho starts here.
Aston Villa predicted lineup vs. Bologna
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
Martinez (GK) — Cash, Torres, Konsa, Maatsen — McGinn, Kamara — Elliot, Rogers, Sancho — Watkins
Injured: Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana
Suspended: None
Bologna predicted lineup vs. Aston Villa
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
Leali (GK) — Norton-Cuffy, Ostigard, Vasquez, Caricol — Masini, Frendrup — Ellertsson, Malinovyskyi, Oliveira — Colombo
Injured: Ciro Immobile, Ibrahim Sulemana, Tommaso Pobega
Suspended: None
Aston Villa vs. Bologna Odds
Villa are favourites to win at 4/5 with Sky Bet with Bologna back at 7/2. The draw is 13/5.
Our score prediction for this one is Villa to win 2-0 but here are some other potential scorelines, all of which are best priced with Bet365.
| Result | Odds |
| Villa 1-0 | 6/1 |
| Bologna 1-0 | 11/1 |
| Villa 2-0 | 15/2 |
| Villa 2-1 | 15/2 |
| 1-1 Draw | 6/1 |
Aston Villa vs. Bologna Team News
- Emery is still without key midfield duo Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana but could make changes elsewhere in his side.
- Pau Torres and Ian Maatsen might get a run at the back while Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho should start with Villa desperately in need of a spark up front.
- Bologna are likely to remain unchanged from the side that beat Genoa at the weekend with former Arsenal academy right-back Brooke Norton-Cuffy in from the start.
Aston Villa vs. Bologna Bet Builder Tips
Our bet builder for this one is Villa to win with a -1 handicap, both teams not to score, Watkins to get off the mark for the season with a goal and Bologna to have more cards. That is currently just over 18/1 with Bet365.
How to watch Aston Villa vs Bologna: Live stream, TV channel
- Date: Thursday, 25 September
- Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham
- Time: 8:00 p.m. (BST)
- TV/Stream: TNT Sports