England star boosts World Cup hopes after netting twice for Aston Villa to secure lead over Bologna

Ed Griffiths
Thu, 09 Apr 2026 21:55:15 +0000

Aston Villa have put themselves in a commanding position to reach the Europa League semi-finals after defeating Bologna 3-1 in the first leg of their quarter-final clash.

Ollie Watkins proved the hero for the hosts, netting twice to give Villa a significant advantage heading into the return fixture in Italy.

The England striker's second goal came deep into added time, providing the perfect finish to an impressive European night at Villa Park.

Bologna had briefly threatened a comeback when Jonathan Rowe found the net in the 90th minute, but Watkins responded almost immediately with a close-range effort to restore Villa's two-goal cushion.

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Villa thought they had fallen behind midway through the first half when Ezri Konsa turned the ball into his own net, but the defender was spared embarrassment by an offside flag.

The centre-back then made amends before half-time, rising to meet a Youri Tielemans corner and directing his header into the Bologna goal.

Shortly after the interval, Watkins doubled the advantage after Bologna defender Torbjorn Heggem made a costly error that the Villa striker punished ruthlessly.

Rowe's curling strike gave the Italian visitors hope late on, but Watkins ensured any momentum was immediately extinguished with his second of the evening.

Away from the pitch, Villa face a summer of difficult decisions with the club reportedly prepared to accept offers for the 30-year-old striker to raise funds for a summer squad rebuild.

Sources indicate a fee of approximately £30million could be sufficient to secure his signature, a decrease from previous valuations as he enters the final two years of his contract.

Everton, Manchester United and Newcastle United are all understood to be interested in bringing the striker in.

Selling Wakins could represent a solution to Villa's ongoing financial difficulties and could help the club avoid potential rule breaches.

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The Midlands club recorded losses of £120.3million in 2022-23 and £85.9million the following year, before posting a £17million profit last season that relied on one-off sales, including the women's team and the Warehouse entertainment venue near Villa Park.

A Uefa report excluded these transactions and calculated Villa's losses at £85million.

His value could increase further if he is called up to England's World Cup squad and impresses buyers.

Wakings' place in the Three Lions set up is under serious threat after he was dropped from the most recent 35-man squad by manager Thomas Tuchel.

Tuchel has favoured other striking options, including Dominic Solanke and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, as primary backups to Harry Kane.

The Midlands striker remains a hero for the national team after his Euro 2024 semi-final goal sent England into the final of the competition.

However, his form this season has dipped with only 12 goals in 41 total appearances.

He still remains a regular starter for Villa under Unai Emery.