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Ollie Watkins‘ second-half brace helped give Aston Villa a comfortable 3-1 lead over Bologna heading into next week’s Europa League quarterfinal second leg at Villa Park.
Bologna had not tasted defeat in the competition since the opening game of the campaign where Villa beat them 1-0, and Unai Emery’s side proved to be their nemesis once again to end their 11-game European unbeaten run at the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium.
Bologna thought they had a lead but Santiago Castro’s strike was ruled out by VAR for offside before Lewis Ferguson hit the crossbar moments later.
The Premier League side managed to hold on and punished the Italian side with goals either side of halftime from Ezri Konsa and Watkins.
Bologna breathed life into the contest when Jonathan Rowe scored late in the day until Watkins’ stoppage time effort restored their two-goal advantage.