Credit: Imago, Getty Images
Wed 15 April 2026 10:03, UK
Europa League semi-finals will be decided on Thursday, with Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest hoping to book their places.
Should both Premier League teams progress, they will face each other in the next round, the first leg of which is to take place at the end of April.
Both clubs find themselves in a strong position after last week’s first legs, but especially Villa, who will welcome Bologna to Villa Park with a 3-1 lead.
Nottingham Forest were battered at times in Portugal, but managed to leave Estadio do Dragao with a 1-1 draw.
Villa’s form has improved of late, although it was the Tricky Trees who stopped them in their tracks at the City Ground on Sunday.
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Supercomputer makes Europa League prediction
Villa will land £3million in prize money if they progress to the Europa League semi-final, and they will be confident of doing so.
Unai Emery’s team were dominant in the first leg, and were full value for the sizable advantage they carry into the second leg.
BolognaMatch statsAston Villa58%Possession42%19Shots84Shots on target40.85Expected goals (xG)1.574Corners3
Ezri Konsa opened the scoring at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, with Ollie Watkins adding a second goal just after the break.
Jonathan Rowe got one back for the home side in the final minutes, but Watkins was on hand once more to restore Villa’s two-goal cushion before full-time.
Bologna now must score at least twice without reply at Villa Park, where just five visiting teams have emerged victorious this season.
Opta‘s supercomputer has placed its full confidence in the Premier League side, handing them a massive 97.40 per cent chance of progressing.
Nottingham Forest, on the other hand, face far more of a 50/50 shot. Vitor Pereira’s team will be confident, however, having beaten the Portuguese side at the City Ground earlier in the season.
The supercomputer has given the East Midlands club a 53.98 per cent chance of progression.
How does the supercomputer predict the rest of the Europa League going?
In Thursday’s other quarter-finals, Braga and Real Betis are level at 1-1, while SC Freiburg are set to defend a 3-0 lead against Celta Vigo.
The supercomputer has, understandably, backed Freiburg, and has also placed its trust in Betis.
Should both teams make it to that semi-final, the German side have been backed to go through to the final and play Villa, who hold the advantage in a prospective clash with Nottingham Forest.
Should that final take place, the Premier League side would be backed to go all the way and bring home a first major trophy since 1996.
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