Birmingham, England – September 25: Aston Villa’s John McGinn scored his first goal in the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match at Villa Park in Birmingham, England on September 25, 2025. (Photo: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Lukasz Skorupski saved the Ollie Watkins penalty, with Santiago Castro hitting the bar, but Bologna still surrendered 1-0 to Aston Villa in the Europa League.
These teams met here in the Champions League last season, with the hosts winning 2-0. Both uttered the term as Rossoblu had two home wins and two losses in Serie A. Ciro Immobile, Tommaso Pobega, Nicolò Casale and Ibrahim Sulemana were injured, while Benjamin Dominguez and Lorenzo de Silvestri were injured. Villa still managed to win this semester, managing three draws and two losses in the Premier League, as well as the Carabao Cup exclusion on a penalty to Brentford. Emiliano Martinez, Ross Barkley, Youri Tielemans, Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana were not taking action.
See how it all unfolded on live blogs.
Evan Speculation forced a difficult early save from Lucas Skolpski at a nearby post, and Federico Bernardeski created a key clearance to prevent a rebound tap-in.
Aston Villa took the lead from a short corner routine. Initially there was a fresh air shot of Morgan Rogers, a terrifying 12 yards, but was cleared out of the area for John McGinn to touch and drill into a nearby corner.
John McGinn scores his first home goal of the season for Aston Villa!
He gives the lead with Bologna in the 13th minute 💥
@tntsports & @discoveryplusuk pic.twitter.com/gbcyiub7lb
– TNT Sports (@footballontnt) Soccer September 25, 2025
Skolpski denied Doniel Maren in three extremely tough situations and had to rush the ball out of the line, one-on-one, while Federico Bernardeski had two snapshots at Marco Bizotto.
Santiago Castro slipped, unable to make the most of Nicolo Cambiagi from the left, rubbing another finish with Nadir Sortea’s pullback.
Martin Vitak has created a key block to stop Ollie Watkins from completing speculation and counter attacks, but Bologna has filed a complaint of handling in the build-up, but Vitak breaks down when defeating Watkins for a penalty. Watkins stepped up in anticipation of the first goal of the season, but a straight penalty in the middle was paralyzed by Skolpski’s foot.
Ollie Watkins can’t double Aston Villa’s lead as his penalty is saved.
@tntsports & @discoveryplusuk pic.twitter.com/k8zptth9e9
– TNT Sports (@footballontnt) Soccer September 25, 2025
It was a shame Bologna didn’t score a moment later as Ricardo Orsolini left the bench and quickly whipped out on the cross from six yards off Castro’s header.
Jens Odgaard skimmed his head on Charalampos Lykogiannis Cross, where Bizot made a mistake rushing out of the line.
Bologna had a big opportunity to take the point at a stop as the Bitik loop header was bent from under the bar by Bizot and punched out, and the remoiler rubbed the rebound.
Marco Vizotto will make a big save just before full time as Aston Villa secures the first victory of the season ✅
@tntsports & @discoveryplusuk pic.twitter.com/cqxyp9fur2
– TNT Sports (@footballontnt) Soccer September 25, 2025
Aston Villa 1-0 Bologna
McGinn 13 (AV)
Save on penalties: Watkins 69 (b)
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