BOLOGNA, April 10 -- Aston Villa have one foot in the Europa League semi-finals after Thursday's hard-fought 3-1 win at Bologna, which could have had a very different complexion had it not been for the clinical Ollie Watkins.

Ezri Konsa's header on the stroke of half-time and a brace from Watkins, who is playing for a place in England's World Cup squad, kept Villa on course for a first major trophy since winning the League Cup 30 years ago.

Villa will face either Porto or fellow Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest in the last four should they see off Bologna, who are still just about in the tie thanks to Jonathan Rowe's fine late strike, in next week's second leg in Birmingham.

Bologna have won their last seven matches away from ho...