BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) – Aston Villa heads into their Europa League quarter-final tie against Bologna on Thursday with a commanding two-goal lead.
Villa won the first leg in Italy 3-1 with two goals from Ollie Watkins, making it their eighth consecutive win in the competition.
The English club have reached the European quarter-finals for the third consecutive year and are on track to qualify for next season’s Champions League despite fourth in the Premier League.
Bologna have won five away games in Europe since losing to Villa in the league opener.
The two sides also faced each other in last year’s Champions League, with Villa winning 2-0.
Villa manager Unai Emery said he respects Bologna.
“We have to concentrate 100%,” Emery said. He is the most successful manager in the competition, winning four titles with Sevilla and Villarreal.
Nottingham Forest, another Premier League club, need a win against Porto at the City Ground if they are to return to European competition for the first time in 30 years.
The match between the two-time European champions ended in a 1-1 draw against Porto.
Freiburg will also take on Celta Vigo with a 3-0 advantage, while Real Betis will host Braga after drawing 1-1 in the first leg.
In the Conference League, Crystal Palace hold a 3-0 lead over two-time runners-up Fiorentina.
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
