For the third time in less than two years, Aston Villa will take on Bologna in UEFA competition, but on this occasion, the match will take place in Italy, and the stakes are higher than ever before.
While the two previous encounters took place in the league phases of the Champions League and Europa League, this upcoming clash on Thursday, 9 April, is the first leg of a quarter-final.
Aston Villa fans can smell an opportunity, and victory here would put them in a brilliant chance to secure a semi-final place a week later at Villa Park.
If you are an Aston Villa fan planning on travelling over to Bologna for the match, here is everything you need to know to ensure the trip goes smoothly.
How many Aston Villa fans are going to Bologna?
Despite the fact that the match is fast approaching, as of 25 March, Aston Villa still haven't received official communication from Bologna as to what their away ticket allocation for the match will be.
On average, visiting teams to the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara often receive an allocation of somewhere between 1,800 and 2,500 tickets, so perhaps the delay is due to Aston Villa officials pushing for a higher outcome.
Regardless of the allocation, Aston Villa will almost certainly sell it out. There is also the possibility of thousands of Villa fans travelling over to Bologna without tickets to soak up the matchday atmosphere.
Where will Aston Villa fans sit at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara?
Aston Villa fans will take blocks A and B in the Curva Ospiti at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara. This area of the stadium is located in the north-east corner of the stadium and is surrounded by home fans on either side.
The view of the pitch from this part of the stadium is good, particularly when the action is down at the end. Typically, this occurs in the second half of matches.
don’t know why villa can’t just say “we haven’t gotten the information from bologna yet” and give us a time frame where they might have received it so we know for bologna away tickets. their lack of communication with the fans can’t be helpful for those working the ticket office
— Lib Ben (@OcBen) March 25, 2026
Full fans' matchday guide for Bologna away
Where to eat & drink for Aston Villa fans in Bologna
The best place to eat and/or drink before a match at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara is in the centre of Bologna. Some of our recommendations include:
- Celtic Druid – Via Caduti di Cefalonia, 5c, 40125 Bologna BO, Italy
- Pub BRU LAB – Via S. Valentino, 2f, 40122 Bologna BO, Italy
- Dragon Pub – Viale della Repubblica, 16a, 40127 Bologna BO, Italy
How to get to the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara: Guide for Aston Villa fans in Bologna
The Stadio Renato Dall'Ara is located around 3km away from the city centre so most fans choose to walk (total time is roughly 40 minutes). In terms of public transport, the club puts on a shuttler bus service from Bolgona's railway station on matchdays that goes back and forth between the station and the stadium.
When you arrive at the stadium, away fans must enter through gate 5, which is located in Via Menabue (a side street of Via Porrettana).