European Football Results: Aston Villa Shine in Europa League

Aston Villa secured a commanding advantage in the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals after defeating Bologna 3-1 in the first leg on April 9, 2026. The victory, achieved at the Stadio Renato Dell’Ara, leaves the English side in a strong position heading into the second leg of the tie.

The result marks a significant away performance for Villa, who managed to control the encounter in Italy to secure a two-goal lead. This win continues a strong run of form for the club in European competition throughout the 2025-26 season.

Quarter-Final First Leg Context

The match on April 9, 2026, was the first leg of the quarter-final stage. Aston Villa’s clinical approach allowed them to overcome the home side, Bologna, with a final score of 3-1. This result provides Villa with a substantial cushion before the return fixture.

Aston Villa’s 2025-26 Europa League Campaign

The victory against Bologna is part of a broader trend of success for Aston Villa in the 2025 UEFA Europa League. The club has maintained a high win rate across various stages of the tournament, including the group and knockout phases.

Earlier in the knockout stages, Aston Villa faced Lille in the round of 16. Villa won both legs of that encounter, securing a 1-0 victory in the first leg on March 12, 2026, and following it up with a 2-0 win in the second leg on March 19, 2026.

The team’s path to the quarter-finals also included a 3-2 victory over RB Salzburg on January 29, 2026, and a 1-0 win against Fenerbahce on January 22, 2026.

Previous Results and Form

Villa’s consistency has been evident since the start of the competition in September 2025. Their record includes the following results:

• September 25, 2025: Aston Villa 1 – 0 Bologna
• October 2, 2025: Feyenoord Rotterdam 0 – 2 Aston Villa
• October 23, 2025: Go Ahead Eagles 2 – 1 Aston Villa
• November 6, 2025: Aston Villa 2 – 0 Maccabi Tel-Aviv
• November 27, 2025: Aston Villa 2 – 1 Young Boys
• December 11, 2025: FC Basel 1 – 2 Aston Villa

Notably, this is the second time Aston Villa has faced Bologna in this campaign, having previously defeated them 1-0 at home on September 25, 2025.

Broader Competition Landscape

The quarter-final first-leg matches on April 9, 2026, saw a variety of outcomes across the European competitions. While Aston Villa dominated in Italy, other fixtures saw contrasting results, including Fribourg defeating Celta and Porto being held to a draw.

Aston Villa’s current success in the Europa League coincides with a strong domestic run, as the club is currently ranked 2nd in the English Premier League.