Villa Trounce in Italy and Other Treats - English Clubs in European Football Roundup
How Did England's Clubs Fare in Europe Tonight?
We had a three-course menu of English clubs in Europe tonight, as Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest went on their travels into Italy and Portugal respectively in the Europa League whilst Crysal Palace stayed put in a hosting affair with Fiorentina.
This is our snap-shot rundown of all the goings on for English clubs in Europe tonight.
Bologna 1 - 3 Aston Villa
Aston Villa Starting XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Onana, Tielemans, McGinn; Rogers, Buendia; Watkins
Two weeks ago Ollie Watkins missed out on Thomas Tuchel's England squad 🏴
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 9, 2026
Tonight he scored twice as Aston Villa beat Bologna 3-1 🔥 pic.twitter.com/UNxN3ZdS94
Aston Villa survived both early and late scares from Bologna to secure themselves a 3-1 lead to take into the second leg next week, with two goals from Ollie Watkins following an opener from Ezri Konsa to settle the affair.
The Villains in Italy survived a mega scare in the 26th minute, as defender Ezri Konsa inadvertently diverted a cross from the left into the back of his own net. Thankfully for Villa, amidst an early strong showing from Bologna, had VAR to thank as it was chalked off to an offside.
They'd instead be the ones to break the deadlock - Youri Tielemans sent a corner into the box which Federico Ravaglia made a hash of, and - of course - it was Ezri Konsa who earned the benefit of heading it home for 1-0, into the correct net on this occasion and with a goal that stood.
They would have a second before too long, as a mis-cued clearance on the right of the Bologna defence was picked up by Ollie Watkins, who carved in from the left of the attack to bend home a tasty, low, money-doubling effort.
Jonathan Rowe would set up a potentially nervy finish on the 90-minute mark, cutting in from the left flank and bending a beautiful deficit-halver beyond Martinez to give them a fighting chance at Villa Park - only joking, Watkins would be at it once again from another Villa corner just minutes later.
The delivery came in from Tielemans again and evaded all the defending characters, falling right at the feet of Watkins in a position you don't want to grant him. The England forward swept in his second of the night to hand Aston Villa top advantage at Villa Park next week.
FC Porto 1 - 1 Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest Starting XI: Ortega; Abbott, Murillo, Morato; Dominguez, Yates, Gibbs-White; McAtee, Bakwa, Ndoye; Wood
An astonishing Fernandes own goal gifts Forest an equaliser 😮
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 9, 2026
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Nottingham Forest had Stefan Ortega to thank on their trip to Portgual on Thursday night, with the German standing tall to almost everything they threw at him to ensure his side remain well within a fighting chance when this tie goes to the City Ground next week.
Porto, looking to avenge their first defeat of the season which came at The City Ground during the League Phase, notched an early opener after William Gomes was on hand to tap home a perfect, low Gabriel Veiga.
Forest would equalise almost immediately after, but had no part at all to play in it other than being the beneficiary. Martim Fernandes, under no pressure, blasted a pass back to Diogo Costa, but the goalkeeper wasn't paying enough attention and was helpless as the ball slipped past him for a quick leveller.
Ortega was called into action on multiple occasions throughout the affair, keeping out Terem Moffi and William Gomes (again) with outstanding saves. Igor Jesus thought he had bagged himself a winner, but a controversial VAR intervention denied Forest of what could have been a famous win, had that stood and had it remained the same afterwards (I am a Forest fan grasping at straws.
Crystal Palace 3 - 0 Fiorentina
Crystal Palace Starting XI: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot, Mitchell, Munoz; Wharton, Kamada; Sarr, Guessand; Mateta
Ismaïla Sarr continues his excellent run of form to give Palace a 3-0 lead 🤩
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 9, 2026
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Crystal Palace now have this tie all but wrapped up before their trip to Italy next week, banging home a solid 3-0 win at Selhurst Park thanks to goals from Mateta, Mitchell and Sarr.
Fiorentina's evening was marred by the 20-minute mark, as defender Dodo gave a foul away in the area, allowing Jean-Philippe Mateta to coolly convert an opener from the penalty spot.
The Eagles would double their money sooner than later. Daniel Munoz acrobatically kept a clipped pass alive for Mateta to force onto the post under pressure. Left-back Tyrick Mitchell would force his way in to make good on his co-fullbacks efforts, slamming the rebound beyond David de Gea for a double before 30.
After a wonderful ticker-tape parade by Palace fans delayed the start of the second half, they would keep their visitors at arms length before striking again in the 90th minute - a gorgeous cross in from Munoz would make it's way to the in-form Sarr at the back post, who made no error to nod a potentially tie-sealing header beyond De Gea.
Harry Pascoe 
Ben Wright 
