Despite failing to win any of their first five Premier League games, Villa had been installed as pre-tournament favourites for the Europa League.
The English side reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League last season, losing narrowly to eventual winners Paris Saint Germain, and in Unai Emery have a manager who has won the Europa League four times during spells at Sevilla and Villarreal.
A feeling all is not well in the Villa camp was evidenced by Emery labelling his players “lazy” after failing to beat 10-man Sunderland on Sunday, while sporting director Monchi left the club this week.
However, they did enough to get the better of the Coppa Italia winners thanks to captain John McGinn’s early strike.
The Scotland international fired into the bottom corner from the edge of the area on 13 minutes.
Ollie Watkins was left on the bench after his scoreless start to the campaign and failed to break his drought even from the penalty spot in the second half.
The England international’s tame spot-kick was easily saved by Lukasz Skorupski.
Villa could have been made to pay when Santiago Castro headed against the bar.
But just as when the sides met in the Champions League last season, Bologna’s trip to Villa Park ended in defeat.
“Important to get a win at home after not our strongest start to the season,” said McGinn.
“We haven’t been good enough. We’ve had a lot of praise the past couple of seasons and we’re rightly being criticised at the minute.”
Meanwhile, Rangers boss Martin was met with more chants for his exit after the Scottish giants’ latest disappointing result at Ibrox.
Mohamed Diomande’s red card just before half-time for a wild challenge gave the home side a mountain to climb.
Former Celtic striker Oh Hyeon-Gyu had a mixed return to Glasgow as his penalty in first-half stoppage time was saved by Jack Butland.
But the South Korean international grabbed the only goal with a composed finish 10 minutes into the second period.
Former Southampton boss Martin, who was only hired in June, has now failed to win any of Rangers’ last eight games in the Scottish Premiership or European competition. (AFP)
