Aston Villa boss Emery sees Gasperini inspiration in Italiano’s Bologna | OneFootball

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery admits he ‘really likes the ideas in Italian football,’ with Bologna’s Vincenzo Italiano following the concepts of Gian Piero Gasperini.

His men will face off against Italiano’s Bologna in the Europa League on Thursday.

It kicks off at Villa Park at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

This tournament was won by Gasperini’s Atalanta in 2024, and now that coach has moved on to take charge of Roma.

They debut against OGC Nice this evening, and you can follow that match here.

Emery impressed by Italian football

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 09: Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, gestures during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 09, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“I really like the ideas in Italian football, as there are many duels and they go man for man,” Emery told Sky Sport Italia.

“These are concepts that I saw a lot from Gasperini and also now Vincenzo Italiano. They play good football.”

Emery has been keeping a close eye on Serie A and is impressed by teams all through the league, even those not competing in Europe this season.

“Then you have the solidity of Milan, Roma, plus Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio. There is a lot of good football in Italy,” continued the Aston Villa boss.

“The matches are always difficult and I have a great deal of respect for all Italian coaches. Just look at Antonio Conte, for example, every team he coached had success.

“In Italy, football is something very powerful. Along with the coaches and players, football is experienced with so much passion.”

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 22: Riccardo Orsolini of Bologna and Ian Maatsen of Aston Villa compete for the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Aston Villa FC and Bologna FC 1909 at Villa Park on October 22, 2024 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Aston Villa already faced Bologna last season in the Champions League, emerging with a 2-0 victory in this very stadium in October 2024.

The Rossoblu are hoping they have gained some valuable experience and will do better this time around, especially as the level has dropped to the Europa League for both clubs.