Aston Villa player ratings as Bologna are brushed aside in Europa League quarter-final
Villa won 7-1 on aggregate to progress to the last four in the Europa League
Another flawless second leg took Aston Villa safely through to the semi-finals of the Europa League, where they will play Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest over two legs.
Villa blitzed Bologna, turning a 3-1 lead from the first leg into a 6-1 lead by half time in the second. The tie was over as soon as Villa scored their second goal of the night inside the first 30 minutes. They were never stretched after scoring a third.
The Europa League latter stages were part of Unai Emery’s plan at the start of the season and now he will have a chance to really press that plan into action.
Here are the ratings:
Emiliano Martínez - 7
Set the fearless tone for the defence on the ball under a more intense Bologna press but a higher volume of long passes targeting Ollie Watkins was clearly part of the plan.
Quick feet to make a couple of saves from Federico Bernardeschi look easy early in the game. Positioning spot-on all night but seldom troubled.
Matty Cash - 7
Got stuck into Jonathan Rowe at the first opportunity after a tough first leg and blocked the English winger’s first shot on goal. He defended well against a player who caused him problems a week earlier. Won a corner on the stroke of half time with a tremendous whipped cross from deep.
Ezri Konsa - 8
Had to mix it with Santiago Castro to keep Bologna at bay early on, a job that was simplified by the scoreline after Villa took the lead on the night. Turned and fired to score a brilliant goal late in the match.
Pau Torres - 8
Barely got out of his slippers unless there was a chance to showcase his passing out of the back. Comfortable defensively and able to sweep up when called upon, and got more and more involved in the Bologna half as the second half progressed.
Lucas Digne - 8
Nice cross from the left that led to a penalty for a handball in the Bologna box. Almost found Morgan Rogers with a raking forward pass in behind, demonstrating superb vision. Went close to scoring late.
Faced a more challenging second half against Riccardo Orsolini. Workmanlike – on the quiet, he did some excellent defensive work in his own box. Cleared the ball off the toes of Orsolini with the goal gaping inside the last five minutes.
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Youri Tielemans - 8
Constantly knitted the play together through the middle of the park. Typically brave passing, trusting his teammates. Always available to receive the ball and always fully aware of what he planned to do with it before it got to him.
Got a good toe on a Orsolini’s shot to divert it wide early in the second half. Substituted with a little over quarter of an hour to go.
Amadou Onana - 9
Revelled in the dirty work in midfield and looked to be a creative influence when the pitch opened up in front of him. Earned Bernardeschi a yellow card as he roared up the gut in transition in the first half. Monolithic.
John McGinn - 7
A class act out of possession and produced some incredible stuff with the ball. All-action, full of energy, exactly the kind of player you don’t want on the other team while chasing the game. Claimed an assist for Rogers’ goal to make it 6-1 on aggregate.
Substituted in the 64th minute with Villa’s five-goal advantage intact.
Morgan Rogers - 7
Picked up an assist for the goal that put Villa in front on the night, combining beautifully with Emi Buendía and eventually teeing up an easy finish for Watkins.
Tested Federico Ravaglia with a curling shot just after his assist as the confidence started to flow, then took a penalty that was saved in the middle of the first half. Fired in Villa’s third with a fizzing left-footed drive. Protected the ball well in transition in the second half. Substituted with 17 minutes left.
Emi Buendía - 8
Looked close to his best. Hustled early on and was the architect of Villa’s glorious opening goal. Scored the second as a result of his hunger, balance and movement from an attacking throw-in.
Ollie Watkins - 8
Sharp, tenacious and dynamic from the start. Made it 4-1 on aggregate by tapping in to finish off a stunning Villa goal, his 100th in a Villa shirt. Played a huge part in Villa’s third goal, holding the ball up and picking out McGinn. Some fantastic work with his back to goal.
Substituted with the game won in the middle of the second half, having more than played his part.
Substitutes
Leon Bailey (for McGinn, 64) - Ambitious on the ball but ineffective, though he did well when the pitch opened up ten minutes from time and might have had an assist. 5
Tammy Abraham (for Watkins, 64) - Came on and looked to match Watkins for graft and movement off the ball. 6
Jadon Sancho (for Rogers, 73) - Back from injury and didn’t get much of a look in with the tie long since won and Villa coasting. 5
Douglas Luiz (for Tielemans, 73) - Didn’t have a chance to get involved in a game that was dead before his arrival but delivered the corner that led directly to the fourth goal. 6
Lamare Bogarde (for Onana, 78) - Late substitute. N/A