The Rossoblu prepare for a Brummie beating

Bologna is currently sitting in a miserable 26th place in the European standings, which is a bit like being invited to a VIP party and spending the whole night accidentally locked in the coatroom. With a single point to their name and a goal difference that looks like a cry for help, Vincenzo Italiano’s men are finding that life after Thiago Motta is less "Dolce Vita" and more "Chronic Migraine." Their recent form is a depressing mosaic of stalemates and a loss to Liverpool that was about as competitive as a toddler wrestling a grizzly bear.

On the other side of the pitch stands Aston Villa, a club that has decided that continental football is actually quite easy, really. Unai Emery has his side sitting pretty with a perfect record of 6 points, presumably because he’s spent the last decade collecting European trophies like they’re limited-edition Pokémon cards. After humbling Bayern Munich, the Villans are arriving in Italy with a swagger that borders on the offensive. Ollie Watkins is hunting goals, and Jhon Duran is likely preparing to score another worldie from the stadium parking lot.

Villa’s form is a STAGGERING run of wins and high-octane draws. They are organized, ruthless, and coached by a man who probably has the blueprints of every stadium in Europe tattooed on his forearm. Meanwhile, Bologna’s attack has been as sharp as a soggy breadstick. Riccardo Orsolini is doing his best, but he can’t carry a squad that seems to suffer from collective amnesia every time they enter the final third.

Expect the English side to treat this like a light training session in the Italian autumn. Bologna will huff and puff, but Unai Emery doesn’t believe in underdog fairy tales unless he’s the one writing the tragic ending.

Prediction: Bologna 0-2 Aston Villa