Vincenzo Italiano warns Bologna will show ‘less respect’ to Aston Villa than last season in the Champions League when they meet again in the Europa League tomorrow.
It kicks off at Villa Park on Thursday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
These sides already met last term in the Champions League opening phase, suffering a 2-0 defeat here in October 2024 to goals from John McGinn and Jhon Duran.
That was their first European tournament for many years, but this time Italiano assures they will be better prepared.
“Already knowing the atmosphere we are going into will be an added bonus,” Italiano told Sky Sport Italia.
“It is going to be fiery in the stands and we are facing a strong opponent that really impressed me last season. However, we must try to make the most of the experience we gained last year, starting on the right foot, as our objective is to get through the first phase of this competition.”
Bologna getting used to European football
BOLOGNA, ITALY – AUGUST 30: Riccardo Orsolini of Bologna celebrates with teammate Nadir Zortea after scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Como 1907 at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on August 30, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
When they were in the Champions League last season, Bologna were eliminated in the first league phase, but went on to win the Coppa Italia and therefore qualify for the Europa League.
“We lost a few big players who gave us so much last term, so it takes time to get the new one fully settled in with different tactical concepts that they are accustomed to. We’ve already started to see more quality in the passing, and hope to create more moves like the ones we saw last season.”
Italiano is confident that Bologna have learned a lot from their step into European football at the highest level for the Champions League.
“Last year we were too timid, too respectful towards our opponents, but as we gained confidence, we started to improve the performances and bring home points.
“There are quality teams in the Europa League too, but here I feel we have what it takes to go through to the next phase. We earned this tour de force, and now we’ve got to enjoy it.”
Federico Bernardeschi playing for Bologna (bolognafc.it)
The fixture list will be even more packed for Bologna, because they are also in the Supercoppa Italiana in Riyadh in December, as Coppa Italia winners.
They are also dealing with injury problems, leaving behind Ciro Immobile, Tommaso Pobega, Ibrahim Sulemana and Nicolò Casale.
Meanwhile, Kevin Bonifazi, Benjamin Dominguez and Lorenzo De Silvestri are not on the UEFA list.
Bologna squad for Aston Villa: Pessina, Ravaglia, Skorupski; Heggem, Holm, Lucumi, Lykogiannis, Miranda, Vitik, Zortea; Fabbian, Ferguson, Freuler, Moro; Bernardeschi, Cambiaghi, Castro, Dallinga, Odgaard, Orsolini, Rowe
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