Overview
- Villa won the second leg 2-0 at Villa Park with John McGinn finishing a rapid break launched by Emiliano Martínez and Leon Bailey scoring late from an Ollie Watkins pass.
- Bologna await in the quarter-finals after eliminating Roma, with the last-eight ties scheduled for April 9 and 16.
- Ollie Watkins’ header earned a 1-0 first-leg victory in France, a result that also marked Emery’s 100th win as Villa manager.
- Unai Emery rotated his side, starting Tammy Abraham before introducing Watkins, while Jadon Sancho set up McGinn’s opener and the captain made his first Villa Park appearance since injury.
- The victory underscores Emery’s European pedigree and contrasts with Villa’s recent Premier League slump, keeping their trophy pursuit on track.