Watkins double puts Aston Villa in driving seat against Bologna

The Premier League side have a two-goal lead ahead of the second leg in Birmingham. 

OLIVER'S ARMY: Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins celebrates after scoring his side's third goal at Renato Dall'Ara Stadium, Bologna. Pic: Gianluca Ricci/PA Wire.

Ollie Watkins' second-half brace helped give Aston Villa a comfortable 3-1 lead over Bologna heading into next week's Europa League quarter-final second leg at Villa Park.

Bologna had not tasted defeat in the competition since the opening game of the campaign where Villa beat them 1-0, and Unai Emery's side proved to be their nemesis once again to end their 11-game European unbeaten run at the Renato Dall'Ara Stadium.