Aston Villa vs Bologna Prediction - Champions League Fixtures
Matthew O’Regan has his Aston Villa vs Bologna prediction, team news and lineups preview in what is set to be a classic at Villa Park. Villa have had a flawless start to their Champions League campaign, sweeping Young Boys (0-3) and Bayern Munich (1-0 aside). They will be looking to continue their 100% record against a Bologna side without a win.
- Aston Villa vs Bologna Tip 1: Over 2.5 goals
- Aston Villa vs Bologna Tip 2: Over 5.5 Aston Villa Goal Kicks
- Aston Villa vs Bologna Tip 3: Matty Cash and Remo Freuler over 0.5 fouls committed each
Aston Villa vs Bologna Prediction 1: Brave Bologna
England, Champions League, Tuesday, October 22nd, 20:00 (UK)
After winning 0-3 in Switzerland over Young Boys, Aston Villa shocked Bayern Munich at home, winning 1-0. Unai Emery’s side have also been strong in the league as they currently sit fourth, keeping pace with the three favourites ahead of them.
Villa have scored 15 goals and conceded 10 in 15 league games, with these matches averaging 3.125 goals. 6/8 of their matches have seen over 2.5 goals – the most in the league.
Bologna currently sit 13th in Serie A after their miraculous qualification for the Champions League. However, this success saw manager Thiago Motta and key players Joshua Zirkzee, Riccardo Calafiori and Marco Arnautovic.
As a result, I Rossoblù have drawn six of their eight games, winning one game and losing one. There has been a stark contrast in entertainment from their home games and away games, with over 2.5 goals not landing once at home, but all four away games.
Vincenzo Italiano’s side thrives in transition on the counter attack, so away games tend to suit his side much more. Even in the 2-0 loss at Liverpool, Bologna played well and were unlucky not to score.
Villa will look to take the game to their Italian opposition early on – a game plan which may suit Bologna in a game that should see plenty of goals.
- Aston Villa vs Bologna Prediction 1: Over 2.5 Goals
- Best Odds: 1.80
- Bookmaker: bet365
- Stake: 10/10
Aston Villa vs Bologna Prediction 2: Goal Kicks the Play
As mentioned, Bologna thrive on the counter attack, with a number of strong players in transition such as Dan Ndoye. Their fast paced build up will see them look to get the ball forward with the pace – an advantageous style of play for goal kicks.
Bologna have so far drawn 5,12,10,5,8,11,5, 11, 10, 8 goal kicks from their opponents, for an average of 8.5 per game. In the away games against Liverpool and Napoli where they were heavy underdogs like they are against Villa, Bologna drew 10 goal kicks each from the opponents.
Aston Villa this season have taken 7,5,8,10,12,1,7,1,10,9,6 goal kicks for an average of 6.90 per game. The 1 goal kick taken against Everton and Wolves are perhaps a slight on the total but Aston Villa were losing for 50 minutes against Wolves and didn’t take the lead until the 88th minute. Against Everton, Villa were 0-2 down after 27 minutes, equalising in the 58th minute and scoring the winner after 76. Wolves and Everton are two of the more defensive sides in the league who were happy to sit on their lead.
Villa also conceded 7 and 8 goal kicks in their two Champions League games. If they take the lead as expected, Bologna should rack up the goal kicks as they push for an equaliser.
- Aston Villa vs Bologna Prediction 2: Over 5.5 Aston Villa Goal Kicks
- Best Odds: 2.00
- Bookmaker: bet365
- Stake: 10/10
Aston Villa vs Bologna Prediction 3: Fouling Freuler
Matty Cash has missed most of the season after suffering an injury in the 0-2 loss to Arsenal. However, the Pole marked his return with 90 minutes in the 0-0 draw with Manchester United. In this game, Cash made two fouls. He followed this up with a foul in the 3-1 win at Fulham.
Last season, the 27-year-old averaged 1.26 fouls per 90 in the Premier League. His direct opponent is likely to be Dan Ndoye who will be installed back into the side after missing the weekend action with fatigue.
The 23-year-old has won an average of 4.58 fouls per 90 in Serie A this season and 2.66 in the Champions League. If he does not play or gets subbed early, Benjamin Dominguez will be the replacement. He was fouled four times in just 21 minutes on Saturday.
Remo Freuler returner to Italy after a disappointing spell in England with Nottingham Forest. He is now captain of Bologna and has started every game this season. The veteran Swiss international is averaging exactly 1.0 fouls per 90 in Serie A, a decrease on the 1.50 he made last season.
So far this season, Villa are drawing 3.81 fouls per 90 from centre midfielders, with 14 booked in just 11 games.
- Aston Villa vs Bologna Prediction 3: Remo Freuler and Matty Cash over 0.5 fouls committed (TRACKED BET)
- Best Odds: 1.90
- Bookmaker: bet365
- Stake: 10/10
Aston Villa vs Bologna Prediction odds via bet365 as at 12:00, October 21st, 2024 Odds may now differ.
Aston Villa vs Bologna Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups: Contrast in squad depth
Unai Emery is blessed with a near-full squad for this tie. Only long term absentee Tyrone Mings and back up goalkeeper Robin Olsen are missing. John Mcginn played seven minutes off the bench against Fulham after recovering from injury.
Bologna on the other hand are missing a host of players. Midfield conductor Lewis Ferguson is out until December. Martin Erlic, Michel Aebischer and Oussama El Azzouzi while Samuel Illing-Junior couldn’t play against his parent club even if he was fit.
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Cash, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Tielemans, Onana; Ramsey, Rogers, Mcginn; Watkins
Bologna possible starting lineup:
Ravaglia; Posch, Beukema, Casale, Miranda; Moro, Freuler; Ndoye, Odgaard, Orsolini; Castro
Match Stats: Goal Heavy
- Since 1982, Villa have lost four games and won two against Italian opposition
- In the 21st century, Bologna have yet to beat an English side in three attempts
- Villa top the Premier League for games seeing at least three goals
- Bologna have seen all four away games land over 2.5 goals
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