What channel is Aston Villa vs Bologna on? TV details, live stream and team news

Aston Villa kick off their Europa League campaign against Italian side Bologna on Thursday evening and are looking to repeat last season's Champions League win over the Serie A side

Aston Villa are set to embark on a brave new journey in the Europa League this week. This marks the third European competition in as many years for Unai Emery's squad, having previously competed in the Champions League and reached the Conference League semi-finals in 2023-24, and comes after a final-day defeat last season denied them another Champions League chance.

Emery has a proven track record in the competition, having guided Sevilla to three consecutive victories in the 2010s. He also reached the final with Arsenal in 2019, losing to Premier League rivals Chelsea, and secured another win with Villarreal in 2021.

Manchester United were the unfortunate losers in that 2021 final, and they were also finalists in the 2024/25 edition, where they were defeated by Tottenham. This year, Villa and rivals Nottingham Forest have a chance to set up a second successive all-Premier League final.

Villa last participated in the Europa League during the 2010/11 season, since when the traditional group stage has been replaced by a league phase. Their campaign will kick off against Bologna, one of eight different opponents they'll face, with away trips to Feyenoord and Fenerbahce coming up.

Villa and Bologna also met in last season's Champions League, with John McGinn and Jhon Duran scoring in a 2-0 victory for Emery's men. Here's how you can catch all the action as Villa aim for a repeat result.

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What time is Aston Villa vs Bologna?

The match between Aston Villa and Bologna is scheduled for Thursday evening at 8pm UK time. It's one of nine Europa League fixtures taking place on Thursday, with the remaining nine matches - including Forest's opener - having been played the previous evening.

What channel is Aston Villa vs Bologna on?

TNT Sports holds the broadcasting rights to Europa League matches this campaign. Aston Villa vs Bologna will be shown live on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate, with build-up coverage starting at 7.30pm.

Viewers can also stream the action live via the Discovery+ app. BBC Radio West Midlands will provide audio commentary for supporters unable to watch on television.

What's the Aston Villa vs Bologna team news?

Aston Villa have yet to hit top gear in their Premier League campaign. Unai Emery's men drew a blank in their opening four league fixtures before Matty Cash finally broke their duck against 10-man Sunderland, though the Black Cats found an equaliser to draw 1-1.

Villa's Spanish boss Emery remains without several key players. Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans and Ross Barkley are all tipped to miss out, though some could return soon, whilst full-back Andres Garcia lookt likely to require additional recovery time.

Jadon Sancho made his Villa bow on Sunday following his temporary switch from Manchester United, whilst fellow loan signing Harvey Elliott featured off the substitutes' bench. Both newcomers will be eager to feature from the start sooner rather than later and could be handed opportunities against Bologna.

"There is still work to do; some players are adapting in the squad and our idea, and they will need time," Emery reflected after the Sunderland encounter. "Other players were here last year and know how we want to build the team and how we were being successful in the last three years."

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