Aston Villa — Bologna : Match Preview and Prediction for September 25,2025

Aston Villa’s Challenging Start

Aston Villa has endured an abysmal start to the current season, failing to secure a single victory in any of their six official matches.

Premier League Performance

The Villans have collected a mere three points from a possible fifteen in the Premier League, with draws against Newcastle (0-0), Everton (0-0), and Sunderland (1-1). Furthermore, their defeats came against seemingly weaker opponents like Brentford (0-1) and Crystal Palace (0-3).

Early Cup Exit

Another significant setback was their early exit from the League Cup, eliminated by Brentford in the first round after a penalty shootout (1-1, 2-4).

European Ambitions and Past Performance

Last season, Unai Emery’s squad reached the Round of 16, putting up a strong fight against the eventual winners, PSG. In a competition of a lower caliber, they naturally possess a legitimate chance to contend for the trophy. However, this aspiration demands a radical transformation in their current form.

Squad Stability and New Signings

Interestingly, the core squad that performed so well last season has largely been maintained. While Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio departed after their loan spells ended, and Jacob Ramsey was sold to Newcastle, the team brought in decent replacements: Jadon Sancho, Evann Guessand, Victor Lindelöf, and Harvey Elliott.

Offensive and Defensive Concerns

The hosts’ attacking output is a cause for concern, with only two goals scored in six matches. Concurrently, their defense has been consistently vulnerable, conceding six goals, averaging exactly one per game.

Squad Absentees for Aston Villa

The Spanish head coach has excluded four players from the squad: Barkley, Onana, Tielemans, and Garcia.

Bologna’s European Journey

Bologna also made their return to European competitions last year for the first time in a long while, similar to Aston Villa. However, unlike the English side, they were unable to advance past the group stage. Nevertheless, they did secure their inaugural victory by defeating Borussia Dortmund (2-1).

Domestic Form and Away Struggles

Their current season has had a mediocre start, despite focusing solely on Serie A so far. The Italians are exhibiting a clear issue with away fixtures, losing both: to Roma (0-1) and Milan (0-1). In contrast, they’ve managed two home victories: against Como (1-0) and Genoa (2-1).

Tactical Shift and Its Impact

It’s somewhat unusual to observe the team adopting a more defensive approach now, contrasting with their previous consistent high-pressing style. This shift might have contributed to their two slip-ups against strong opponents, as they played a more conservative, defensive game.

Squad Changes and Key Players

They might be missing Sam Beukema and Dan Ndoye, who transferred to Napoli and Nottingham Forest, respectively, this summer. Replacements include Jonathan Rowe (from Marseille), Torbjørn Heggem (West Bromwich), and Martin Vitík (Sparta). Noteworthy veterans like Ciro Immobile (Besiktas) and Federico Bernardeschi (Toronto) are also part of the squad.

Bologna’s Injury List

Vincenzo Italiano faces a similar injury situation, with four players currently sidelined: Casale, Immobile, Pobega, and Souleymane.