Prediction: Aston Villa vs Bologna

Verdict: Aston Villa win

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Getting their iconic Champions League fairytale back underway on Tuesday night, Aston Villa will welcome Bologna to the Midlands.

Aston Villa

Starting with the hosts, mounting a stellar comeback away at Fulham over the weekend as they marked their return from October’s international break with a 3-1 victory in west London, Aston Villa are in the midst of what has become a sensational fairytale. Only continuing on a meteoric rise following Unai Emery’s arrival in the Midlands last year, the former Arsenal boss has seen his squad gain a string of plaudits from across the continent. Getting their famous Champions League adventure underway on September 17th with a routine 3-0 romp away at Young Boys, Villa certainly laid down a heavyweight marker prior to October’s fortnight interval. Claiming an astonishing 1-0 win at home against German giants Bayern Munich, the mood around Villa Park remains at a red-hot high. Suffering just a single defeat across any competition since opening up the new campaign, Emery’s men should be smelling another real opportunity when they return to the Midlands here.

Team News

While summer recruit Jaden Philogene might have been shown a second-half red card away at Fulham over the weekend, the former Hull youngster is free to feature on Tuesday night. However, yet to make a single appearance this season after dealing with a long-term knee injury, Tyrone Mings is not expected to feature here.

While Scotland international John McGinn might have made a came appearance at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon, the 30-year-old will likely settle for a spot on the bench here. Finding the net in west London over the weekend, Ollie Watkins will keep his spot leading Emery’s charge in the final third.

Bologna

As for the visitors, while Bologna might have sprung a real Serie A upset last season as they booked a maiden Champions League ticket, the Greyhounds have largely come crashing back down to earth this time around. Now under the guidance of new boss Vincenzo following Thiago Motta’s move to Juventus over the summer, Tuesday’s guests are desperately seeking some crucial stability. Marking their return from October’s international break with a lively 2-2 stalemate away at Genoa over the weekend, Bologna have registered just a single victory from any of their first 10 competitive appearances across all competitions. Likewise, last seen in European action falling to a 2-0 loss at the hands of Premier League giants Liverpool, the former Fiorentina boss should be bracing himself for another stern examination in the Midlands.

Team News

Dealing with what has become a stacked injury list, Bologna will travel to the Midlands without the likes of Nicolo Cambiaghi, Oussama El Azzouzi and Scotland international Lewis Ferguson. However, despite missing out away at Genoa over the weekend, Italiano’s side are hopeful that former Nice star Dan Ndoye will be able to play some part here.

Making his move from Nottingham Forest a permanent one over the summer, Remo Freuler will start in the middle of the park on Tuesday night. Recording a trio of Serie A strikes so far this season, Argentinian youngster Santiago Castro will be hoping to keep his spot leading the line.

Key Factors to Consider

• Including their iconic 1-0 victory against Bayern Munich on October 2nd, Aston Villa have won each of their opening two Champions League appearances.
• Emery’s men have suffered just a single defeat across any competition since opening up the new campaign.
• Bologna have registered just a sole win from any of their first 10 competitive appearances so far this season.
• Aston Villa have recorded back-to-back clean sheets on home soil for the first time since the end of March.
• Bologna have conceded 10 goals in their first five showdowns away from the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.

Conclusion

Marking their return from October’s international break with an impressive 3-1 victory away at Fulham over the weekend, Aston Villa will be relishing a return to the Midlands here. Collecting an iconic 1-0 win against Bayern Munich on October 2nd and flying out of the traps since opening up their famous Champions League adventure, Emery’s men should be smelling a real opportunity in midweek. With Bologna recording just a sole victory from any of their first 10 competitive appearances across all competitions, we are backing a home win here.

Verdict: Aston Villa win

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Dachbet