Champions League: Aston Villa Vs Bologna, Starting XIs

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Post on Oct 23, 2024

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Villa's Champions League Debut: Can They Tame the Wolves of Bologna?

Aston Villa's historic Champions League debut is finally here, and the pressure is on! They'll be facing a seasoned Bologna side that knows all about playing on the big stage. So, who will be leading the charge for both teams in this epic clash? Let's dive into the predicted starting XIs and see who's got the edge.

Aston Villa: All Eyes on the New Boys

Unai Emery has some serious decisions to make. Will he trust the new signings straight away? We're expecting a 4-3-3 formation with a strong midfield core to help control the tempo.

Predicted Aston Villa XI:

• Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez
• Defense: Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne
• Midfield: John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara, Douglas Luiz
• Attack: Leon Bailey, Ollie Watkins, Bertrand Traore

Bologna: Experience and Grit

Bologna will be relying on their veteran stars to guide them through this tough match. They're known for their solid defensive structure and counter-attacking prowess.

Predicted Bologna XI:

• Goalkeeper: Lukasz Skorupski
• Defense: Adama Soumaoro, Jhon Lucumi, Kevin Bonifazi, Aaron Hickey
• Midfield: Nicolas Dominguez, Roberto Soriano, Jerdy Schouten
• Attack: Riccardo Orsolini, Marko Arnautovic, Musa Barrow

Key Matchups to Watch

• Watkins vs. Soumaoro: Can Villa's star striker find a way past Bologna's towering center-back?
• Kamara vs. Dominguez: A battle of two midfield dynamos. Expect some physicality here!
• Bailey vs. Hickey: Will Bailey's pace and trickery prove too much for the young Scottish full-back?

The Verdict?

It's a tough one to call. Villa's got the home advantage and the excitement of their Champions League debut, but Bologna's experience can't be underestimated.

This promises to be an intense, thrilling encounter. Whoever emerges victorious will be taking a huge step towards the knockout stages. Let the battle commence!