Aston Villa's Europa League quarter-final against Bologna arrives in the days following the GW30 Forest fixture — and the tactical approach Unai Emery adopts in the first leg will shape how the entire tie is managed. Bologna under Vincenzo Italiano are a technically accomplished Italian side who build from the back with purpose and press with organisation. They are not a team that can be outrun or overpowered — they have to be outthought. Emery's priority in the first leg will be to avoid conceding. An away goal gives Bologna an enormous advantage in a second leg at Villa Park where the crowd will be anxious. A clean sheet in the first leg, with or without Villa scoring, keeps the tie balanced. Tactically: Villa should press Bologna's goalkeeper and centre-backs aggressively in the opening 15 minutes, before they settle into their passing rhythm. Morgan Rogers and Leon Bailey's pressing energy from the wide positions will be the key to forcing mistakes in the first third. Attacking-wise: Watkins' runs in behind Bologna's high defensive line will create the chances. If Villa score first in Bologna, the tie swings dramatically in their favour. GW30 vs Forest first. Then Villa's European story continues. 📅 Sun 12 Apr, 05:00 UTC | The City Ground 🏆 GW30 + Europa League QF | Bologna Awaits