Aston Villa vs Bologna Predictions

• Aston Villa have conceded in eight of their 11 games this season
• Bologna have kept two clean sheets in 10 matches this term
• Villa have kept two clean sheets in Europe despite conceding 2.1 Expected Goals
• Bologna are awaiting their first Champions League goal despite a 1.8 xG total from their first two games

Can Villa continue their perfect start?

Aston Villa have won two from two in the Champions League this season following their famous victory over Bayern Munich last time out. They’re aiming to extend that against another side who secured a surprise top four finish last season.

Bologna have just a point to show for their first two Champions League games but the Rossoblu will be eager to make an impact. While Villa have Europa League specialist Unai Emery on the touchline, the Italians are led by Vincenzo Italiano – who led Fiorentina to back-to-back Conference League finals before departing last summer.

Blunt Bologna can make a breakthrough

Bologna have failed to score in their first two European games but they’ve generated an Expected Goals tally of 1.8 in clashes with Liverpool and Shakhtar Donetsk. The Italians have also seen more entertainment domestically, with both teams scoring in six of their first eight games.

Italiano’s Fiorentina side were BTTS darlings across the last couple of seasons and defensive woes have followed him to his new side. They’ve conceded in eight of their first 10 matches across all competitions, which has to be a concern against a side as strong as Villa.

However, the hosts have been beaten on Expected Goals in four straight matches, including their victory at Fulham on Saturday. The Villains have kept two clean sheets from two in Europe despite an xG Against of 2.1. The hosts have conceded in eight of their 11 games so far, so their defensive line is vulnerable too. With that in mind, both teams to score is my main selection.

Duran can shine off the bench again

John Duran scored for Colombia during the international break and the Colombian remains a key threat for Villa. Despite limited minutes in Europe, only Ollie Watkins has taken more shots in this competition for Villa this term.

Duran is useful when Villa need to chase games and there’s a good chance that’ll be key, given that Bologna have conceded first in just two of their first eight Serie A games.

The forward is averaging a goal every 51 minutes across the league and Champions League, so back him to net against Bologna.