Ollie Watkins enjoyed a feast in Italy’s culinary capital, scoring two second half goals against a pumped-up Bologna side to take a comfortable lead back to Birmingham and the prospect of a Europa League semi-final as a secondi piatti.

Watkins’ brace, followed Ezri Konsa’s opening goal, and each goal was in some way due to Bologna errors. But they did not tell the whole story of the contest, with the Serie A side dominating much of the play. But after a flap by goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia had let Konsa in on the cusp of half-time, Villa managed the game effectively and responded to a late Bologna strike by their Englishman, Jonathan Rowe, by scoring a third in injury time.

Villa had beaten Bologna twice in the past 18 months of European competition, but both victories were narrow and both were at home.

An away tie would be a different order of challenge, Unai Emery had warned, and he was proven right as Bologna dominated the opening half of play, only to reach the break a goal down.

Dominant in possession in the opening stages, Bologna were careful with the ball while Villa went direct and often looked ragged as...