Aston Villa's Europa League Quarter-Final Showdown in Italy
Aston Villa are in Italy this evening, aiming to secure a positive result to bring back to Villa Park for the second leg on Thursday, April 16. The Villans face Bologna in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, with manager Unai Emery hoping to guide his team one step closer to the semi-finals.
Kick-Off Time and Venue Details
The high-stakes quarter-final encounter is scheduled to kick off at 8:00pm UK time tonight, Thursday, April 9, 2026. The match will take place at the historic Stadio Renato Dall'Ara in Bologna, Italy, setting the stage for a thrilling European night.
UK TV Channel and Live Coverage Information
Live television coverage in the United Kingdom will be provided exclusively by TNT Sports 2. The dedicated broadcast is set to begin at 7:00pm, offering fans a full hour of pre-match analysis and build-up before the action commences.
Live Stream and Online Access Options
Supporters can stream the game live through the Discovery+ app or via the TNT Sports website on various devices. Additionally, the match is available on HBO Max for subscribers who prefer to watch through their integrated sports streaming services.
How to Watch in the United States
Fans located in the United States can catch the action live on Paramount+, which holds the primary English-language rights for UEFA competitions. The match will also be available on the CBS Sports Network for those with traditional cable subscriptions.
UK Radio Coverage for Audio Listeners
For those unable to watch on a screen, live national radio commentary will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live. Coverage typically starts shortly before kick-off, featuring expert pundits and real-time updates from the stadium.
Team News and Injury Updates
Aston Villa have benefited from a recent two-week break, allowing several key players to return to full fitness ahead of this trip. Bologna are a resilient side but will be managing the fatigue of a domestic season where they currently sit eighth in Serie A.
Head-to-Head Record and Current Form
These two sides have met twice in the last two seasons, with Villa maintaining a perfect record against the Italian outfit. The Villans secured a 1-0 victory in the league phase of this tournament in September and previously won 2-0 at Villa Park during last year’s Champions League campaign.
Aston Villa enter this match on a formidable run in this competition, having won their last seven matches in the UEFA Europa League. Bologna are equally impressive at home, remaining unbeaten in 11 European fixtures since their last defeat to Villa earlier this season.
Quarter-Final Context and Historical Significance
This match represents a third consecutive European quarter-final for Unai Emery’s side, following deep runs in the Conference League and Champions League. Bologna is reaching this stage for the first time in several decades after overcoming AS Roma in a thrilling 5-4 aggregate victory in the previous round.
While Villa haven't lifted silverware for 30 years, Emery has won the Europa League four times and will be desperate to secure a fifth – and the Champions League qualification that comes with it.
