Lewis Ferguson relishes reunion with 'fantastic guy' John McGinn as Bologna host Aston Villa in UEFA Europa League

React to this story

Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson saidthat he is relishing the chance to face Scotland team-mate and ”fantastic guy” John McGinn in his side’s UEFA Europa League clash with Aston Villa. The two teams are going toe-to-toe for the third time in the past three years, with Villa having won the previous encounters. Ferguson also spoke glowingly about Serie A's influx of Scottish talent.

Ferguson determined to stop 'top performer' McGinn when Scotland colleagues clash

Video credit: TNT Sports

Lewis Ferguson is relishing the chance to face Scotland team-mate and ”fantastic guy” John McGinn in his Bologna side’s UEFA Europa League clash with Aston Villa.

Thursday night will see Unai Emery’s side travel to Italy for the first leg of their quarter-final encounter, live on TNT Sports and HBO Plus.

The encounter provides Bologna with an opportunity to make amends for their 2024 2-0 UEFA Champions League defeat to the Villans, as well as September’s 1-0 Europa League loss to the Premier League outfit.

Transfers

Mudryk linked with surprise transfer - Paper Round

Yesterday at 09:08

It is also a game that will see Ferguson and McGinn, two of Scotland’s star performers, face off in midfield.

”Before football, what a fantastic guy,” Ferguson told TNT Sports. ”I’ve played with him in the national team for the past four or five years and got to know him really well.

”Top guy, top player. He’s obviously the captain, which shows you he’s a leader. What a player he’s been for Villa over the past seven years he’s been there.

Ferguson hails McTominay as 'best player' in Serie A in Napoli's Scudetto triumph

Video credit: TNT Sports

”He’s been consistently one of their best players, one of their top performers. And, obviously, with Scotland he’s been one of our top performers.

”So, I’ve got nothing but nice things to say about him, other than the two goals he scored against us. We’ll try and stop him tomorrow for sure.

”Top guy, I’m looking forward to seeing him, but I’m hoping we get the better of him.”

Ferguson is among a spate of Scottish players to have thrived in Serie A in recent seasons.

The 26-year-old moved to Bologna in 2022, earned the club captaincy a year later, was named Serie A midfielder of the season for 2023-24 and last term became the first Scot in 30 years to lift the Coppa Italia.

Elsewhere, international team-mates Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay both became Serie A champions upon moving to Napoli in the summer of 2024, with the latter being named the league's most valuable player and receiving a Ballon d'Or nomination.

'Having the time of his life' - McTominay strikes again for Napoli

Video credit: TNT Sports

”It’s really nice to see the guys being successful,” Ferguson said. ”Everyone that has come over here - there’s seven or eight of us now in Serie A, which is something that has not happened in a long time.

”Obviously last year Billy and Scott won the league, which was massive, and Scott was probably - well, I voted for him - he was the best player in the league by a long shot.

”He’s had an absolutely amazing time over here, as well as Billy.

”Everyone’s been pretty successful - it’s great to see and something we speak about when we’re back with the national team.”

Stream the Premier League, men’s and women’s FA Cups, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

UEFA Super Cup