Aston Villa vs Bologna prediction, betting tips and odds: Villans can prove too hot to handle

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Where to watch Aston Villa vs Bologna

You can watch Aston Villa vs Bologna in the Champions League at 8pm on Tuesday, October 22, live on TNT Sports 1

Match prediction & best bet

Aston Villa to win & over 1.5 goals
2pts 10-11 Coral, Ladbrokes

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Aston Villa vs Bologna odds

Aston Villa 4-7
Bologna 9-2
Draw 16-5

Odds correct at time of publishing

Aston Villa vs Bologna predictions

There were concerns that Aston Villa might lack the squad depth to manage a Champions League schedule alongside the Premier League, but Unai Emery's side are thriving with the challenge and should make it three wins from as many matches in Europe at home to Bologna.

Villa have now gone nine games unbeaten following Saturday's 3-1 come-from-behind victory at Fulham, which moved them up to fourth in the Premier League standings, behind Arsenal on goal difference.

Emery's side made light work of Young Boys in their Champions League opener, winning 3-0 on their trip to Switzerland, and they showed how formidable they can be at Villa Park with a shock 1-0 victory at home to German giants Bayern on matchday two.

That makes this look a daunting task for Bologna, who have already been beaten in England in this season's Champions League, losing 2-0 at Liverpool.

The Serie A side had previously been frustrated in a goalless draw at home to Shakhtar Donetsk, who also missed a penalty, so they will be desperate to make their mark at Villa Park.

But the visitors are also struggling domestically and have won only one of their opening eight Serie A games, sharing the spoils in six of those fixtures.

With only nine goals scored in eight league assignments to cap off their two blanks in Europe, Bologna have plenty to prove going forward and they appear to be missing Joshua Zirkzee after his summer switch to Manchester United.

Having also sold Riccardo Calafiori to Arsenal, Bologna have lost a lot of their X factor while injuries to Scotland international Lewis Ferguson and Swiss talent Dan Ndoye hit them further for the trip to the West Midlands.

The Italian side do like to play on the front foot and they showed plenty of ambition at Anfield, suggesting that they can cause Villa's high defensive line problems.

Emery's team may have kept two clean sheets in the Champions League but they've conceded in seven of their eight league games, including at home to Everton and Wolves and away at Ipswich.

That suggests this might be an entertaining watch but Villa are fancied to make the most of home advantage while Bologna have leaked ten goals in five away games this season.

Key stat

Bologna have conceded two or more goals in four of their five away matches this season.

Aston Villa vs Bologna team news

Aston Villa
Boubacar Kamara and Tyrone Mings are both available after spending several months on the sidelines but may be lacking match sharpness while captain John McGinn has returned from a hamstring problem. Jacob Ramsey is also back in contention but Robin Olsen is absent.

Bologna
Nicolo Cambiaghi, Oussama El Azzouzi, Martin Elic and Lewis Ferguson are all out of action while Dan Ndoye and Michel Aebischer have recently joined them on the sidelines. Villa-owned winger Samuel Iling Junior and Tommaso Pobega are expected to be fit.

Probable teams

Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Onana, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Ramsey; Watkins.
Subs: Duran, Cash, Bailey, Barkley, Buendia, Kamara, Maatsen, Philogene, Mings.

Bologna (4-2-3-1): Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Lucumi, Miranda; Freuler, Moro; Orsolini, Fabbian, Karlsson; Castro.
Subs: Pobega, Iling Junior, Lykogiannis, Casale, Odgaard, Holm, Corazza, Dallinga.

Inside info

Aston Villa

Star man Ollie Watkins
Top scorer Ollie Watkins
Penalty taker Ollie Watkins/Youri Tielemans
Card magnet Lucas Digne
Assist ace Youri Tielemans
Set-piece aerial threat Amadou Onana

Bologna

Star man Santiago Castro
Top scorer Santiago Castro
Penalty taker Riccardo Orsolini
Card magnet Stefan Posch
Assist ace  Remo Freuler
Set-piece aerial threat Sam Beukema

Aston Villa vs Bologna bet builder predictions

Both teams to score
Both teams have scored in six of Aston Villa's eight Premier League matches this season.

Stefan Posch to be shown a card
Bologna's Austrian full-back committed four fouls against Liverpool at Anfield while he was booked in their opening Champions League tie with Shakhtar.

Ollie Watkins to score at anytime
The Villa hotshot is starting to hit peak form, having netted five goals in his last seven appearances.

Pays out at 11-1 with bet365

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