Aston Villa star was looking like prime Grealish v Bologna

Four Europa League titles isn’t enough for Aston Villa boss, Unai Emery – he’s chasing a fifth…

Yes, the Spaniard continued his remarkable European record by guiding the Villans into a second continental semi-final in three seasons, having swatted aside Bologna on Thursday night.

Villa vs Bologna – Match Stats
Villa	Stat	Bologna
46%	Possession	54%
2.42	xG	0.96
4	Big chances	0
13	Shots	11
3	Saves	3
4	Corners	2
13	Fouls	17
320	Passes	382
14	Tackles	11
16	Free kicks	13

Jonathan Rowe and co had ensured the Premier League side were made to work for their 3-1 win on the road a week ago, although it was a different story this time around, with the two teams having been a class apart in truth.

Having been the two-goal hero in Bologna, it was Ollie Watkins who kicked things off for the hosts, before Morgan Rogers and Emi Buendia made all but certain of progression with a quickfire double soon after.

With Ezri Konsa providing the icing on the cake at the death, as Villa were also afforded the chance to make a raft of substitutions, it can be considered job well done as far as Emery is concerned.

Rogers back to his best as Villa thrash Bologna

The headline performance from Thursday night might well have been that of Rogers, with the Englishman looking more like his usual self after a difficult week or so.

Indeed, the 23-year-old was outshone by the likes of Rowe in last week’s hard-fought win, having also missed a gilt-edged chance in Sunday’s 1-1 draw away at Nottingham Forest.

It certainly wasn’t all plain sailing again this time around, having failed to convert from the penalty spot, although Villa’s number 27 was largely superb, proving so lethal down that left flank.

It was Rogers who teed up Watkins for the opener after a lovely exchange with Buendia outside the area, with the former Middlesbrough man picking out his compatriot with a perfect, threaded pull-back.

He then got in on the act himself just before the break, after missing his earlier spot-kick, having lashed home from the angle in stunning fashion to hand Emery’s men a commanding lead heading into half-time.

Having subsequently been withdrawn on the 74-minute mark, Rogers departed with a goal and an assist to his name, having also registered three key passes on what was an eventful night for the Three Lions star.

It certainly felt like everything clicked into gear for the Villans, particularly in an attacking sense, with Rogers not the only one to have sparkled going forward.

Aston Villa star was looking like prime Jack Grealish

Emery has taken the club to new heights in the post-Jack Grealish years, although the former skipper remains the touch point when it comes to assessing Villa’s crop of forwards in the present day.

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Speaking back in 2021, following Grealish’s exit, pundit Noel Whelan had suggested that the aforementioned Buendia could become “just as important” as the Englishman, having previously been the “best player in the Championship” at Norwich City.

It hasn’t panned out that way, it must be said, with the Argentine even spending part of last season out on loan at Bayer Leverkusen, although on Thursday night, he looked worthy of Grealish’s number ten shirt.

Watching Buendia against Bologna felt like watching the Birmingham-born maverick at his best, with the current Villa playmaker such a threat in that left channel, having flitted between a central role and a left-wing berth.

As noted above, it was Buendia who helped spark Villa’s first of the night, after playing in Rogers in the build-up to Watkins’ goal, having also bailed his teammate out of trouble somewhat after netting himself in the aftermath of the failed spot-kick attempt.

Perhaps Federico Ravaglia may feel he should have done better to keep out the South American’s shot from the angle, although either way, the resurgent Villa man is now up to 15 goals and assists for the season in all competitions.

Considering he was on the periphery in 2024/25, that is a testament to the diminutive talent, with Buendia comfortably overtaking the likes of Leon Bailey and Jadon Sancho in that attacking pecking order.

The way he can float between the lines and dictate proceedings certainly is Grealish-esque, boasting that low centre of gravity to be able to weave his way past opponents with ease.

He may have lost the ball 12 times from just 34 touches on Thursday, yet that was merely an indication of his desire to create and make things happen for his side, having registered one key pass to boot.