Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has named his starting XI to face Bologna in the Europa League this evening.

He has made two changes from the side that beat West Ham 2-0 before the March international break.

Emi Martinez starts in goal, behind a defence of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, and Lucas Digne.

Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans will operate in a double pivot, while John McGinn, Emi Buendia, and Morgan Rogers support striker Ollie Watkins.

Villa are looking to take an advantage back to Birmingham for next Thursday’s second leg, having progressed to this stage with a 3-0 aggregate victory over Lille.

Bologna, meanwhile, caused a shock against AS Roma, beating their Serie A rivals 5-4 on aggregate after a 1-1 draw at home in the first leg.

Vincenzo Italiano’s side beat relegation-threatened Cremonese at the weekend, but Villa haven’t played in 18 days since their win over West Ham.

Villa starting XI vs Bologna: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Onana, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins.

Subs: Bizot, Wright, Lindelof, Mings, Elliott, Garcia, Abraham, Luiz,...