Villa, Forest in Europa showdown

ASTON Villa demolished Bologna and Nottingham Forest beat Porto in the Europa League on Thursday night to set up an all-English showdown in the semi-finals.

Leading 3-1 from the quarter-final first leg, Unai Emery’s team swatted aside Bologna with a 4-0 victory at Villa Park.

Forest, 12 spots below fourth-placed Villa in the English Premier League, defeated 10-man Porto 1-0 in Nottingham to secure a 2-1 aggregate success.

Villa are into their second European semi-final under Emery after making the last four in the Conference League in 2024.

Europa League specialist Emery has won the tournament four times – three with Sevilla and one at Villarreal – and also finished as a runner-up with Arsenal.

Ollie Watkins had scored twice in the first leg in Italy and the England striker tormented Bologna again in the 16th minute.

It was an eye-catching goal as Villa’s flowing 14-pass move climaxed with Morgan Rogers setting up Watkins for a tap-in from six yards.

Watkins’ 100th goal for Villa made him the club’s top scorer in European competitions with 10, overtaking Peter Withe and John McGinn. Villa missed a 25th minute penalty after Martin Vitik handled a header from Rogers, whose spot-kick was saved by Federico Ravaglia.

But it was only a temporary reprieve for Bologna as Emiliano Buendia struck with a fierce blast in the 26th minute.

Rogers made up for his penalty miss in the 39th minute, netting for the first time in 12 games with a drive that beat Ravaglia at his near post.

In the semi-finals, Freiburg will play Sporting Braga, who came from behind to win 4-2 at Real Betis, sealing a 5-3 aggregate triumph. – AFP Sport.