Abraham may have got the winner but the striker he replaced, Ollie Watkins, was Villa's star with two goals and an assist.
The 30-year-old's performance will also have helped his chances of making England's World Cup squad.
Watkins has now scored 16 goals in all competitions this season and five in four games since he was left out of Thomas Tuchel's last England squad in March.
Harry Kane is the only Englishman playing in the top five leagues to have scored more goals.
Aston Villa 4-3 Sunderland: What Emery and Abraham saidpublished at 16:47 BST 19 April
16:47 BST 19 April
Media caption,
Villa showed 'heart and passion' in 'crazy' match against Sunderland - Emery
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I will need tomorrow to take a day off and recover. I am so happy. 90 minutes we played how we wanted to perform. We conceded two goals in a crazy minute, we lost our minds.
"Until minute 75, we were playing a very good match. The last 20 minutes with extra time, things changed because they scored two goals. Sometimes we need to show our heart and our passion, and enthusiasm. All or nothing. It's very important to me those three points."
On conceding twice in one minute: "Normally we are organised, it's our first objective. We try not to lose our position and after the first goal, we lost our focus, and they used their threat to score the third goal. They had other chances to score the fourth goal and we would have lost the match.
"Always there are things we must improve and analyse. The league is so tight, and we are there to achieve. One point is tough and today was the example."
Aston Villa matchwinner Tammy Abraham, speaking to Sky Sports: "I think we got too relaxed and made a few mistakes and Sunderland punished us. They are a good team.
"As a striker, watching Ollie [Watkins] today, he was staying alive in the box and when I came on I told myself to do the same thing. Luckily for me, I was in the right place at the right time.
"We are a team that believes in ourselves. We are doing so well this season, we just have to carry on with the confidence."
On the fans: "They're the best. I was lucky to be here in the promotion years, so I knew all about them and every game they bring us confidence and support us day in and day out. I love them."
Did you know?
Ollie Watkins scored after just 1:38, the fastest goal for Aston Villa in the Premier League this season.
Tammy Abraham's winner, assisted by Lucas Digne, was the first time Aston Villa have scored a 90th-minute winner in a Premier League game with two substitutes combining to score it.
Follow Sunday's Premier League games livepublished at 10:04 BST 19 April
10:04 BST 19 April
There are four games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.
Aston Villa v Sunderland
Everton v Liverpool
Nottingham Forest v Burnley
Man City v Arsenal (16:30 BST)
Kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated
Follow all of the action and reaction to the early games here and the late match here
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Everton v Liverpool" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Man City v Arsenal", for instance.
Aston Villa v Sunderland: key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:02 BST 18 April
13:02 BST 18 April
Prudent Nsengiyumva BBC Sport Journalist
Aston Villa host Sunderland on Sunday (14:00 BST) as both sides approach the closing weeks of the Premier League season with clear ambitions. Villa are aiming to protect a strong position in the quest for Champions League qualification, while Sunderland have momentum and want to keep their dream of European football alive.
Will Villa hold their nerve?
With six games remaining, Aston Villa remain well placed to secure Champions League qualification, holding a seven-point cushion prior to the weekend. Having missed out on a top-five finish on goal difference last season, there is added incentive not to surrender their place so late on this time.
Recent form, however, explains why the race is not yet settled. After being eight points clear of fourth and 11 ahead of sixth after 21 matches, Villa have taken just 12 points from their last 11 league games, the fifth-worst return in the division over that period.
But the issue seems to have been game management rather than control. Since the start of February, only Newcastle have dropped more points from winning positions than the seven by Villa, who have won just two of their last five matches after taking the lead.
Unai Emery's record against promoted sides provides reassurance. Villa have never lost a Premier League match to a promoted team under him (W14, D5), with their last such defeat coming against Fulham in Steven Gerrard's last game in charge in October 2022.
Yet Sunderland offer a note of caution, being one of only three Premier League opponents the Spaniard has faced without recording a league win. They drew in the reverse fixture early this season.
Villa stalwarts making their mark
Striker Ollie Watkins' form has been up and down but he scored for the fourth time in as many games on Thursday night as Villa reached the Europa League semi-finals. In doing so, he became the club's first centurion since Peter McParland in the early 1960s.
John McGinn is another player whose importance to Villa is immense. Their reliance on the Scot is stark: a 56% win rate with him involved this season, compared to 28.6% without him.
History on the line for Sunderland
Sunderland are buoyant, sitting two points outside the Europa League places after collecting 46 points, already their best top-flight return at this stage since 2010–11. Victory would lift Régis Le Bris' side to 49 points, their highest since 2000–01, and solidify genuine European belief.
The Black Cats have won their last two matches and are chasing three consecutive Premier League wins for the first time in more than a decade. Although winless in their last six away league games in the West Midlands, the stakes are high on Sunday as Sunderland chase only their second European campaign, after the 1973–74 Cup Winners' Cup.
Emery on competing on two fronts, confidence and Sunderlandpublished at 16:59 BST 17 April
16:59 BST 17 April
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Sunderland at Villa Park (kick-off 14:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
The Aston Villa boss said they are "excited" about the challenge of competing in two competitions after reaching the Europa League semi-finals. "We are glad and delighted to be now, in the moment we are, after some parts of the season not performing, struggling and other parts of the season really being fantastic."
He added: "Now, the key moment in the season, we are involved in those two competitions, Premier League - the priority - and Europa League, in the semi-final. We are motivated, we are excited, we have the challenge. The challenge is to keep those two competitions being in the level we are."
Emery did admit competing on both fronts is a big challenge and added: "We must be focusing each competition and each moment, like now we are, and this Sunday against Sunderland. The challenge is a huge challenge for us, competing in both competitions like we are. Why? Because it's not easy to be in the level we are in those competitions."
He said finishing in the top four or five of the Premier League is "most important".
The Villa boss said Sunday's opponents Sunderland are one of the teams "performing fantastic" in the Premier League this year but that his Villa team are feeling "comfortable and confident".
On the impact of set-piece coach Austin MacPhee, Emery said: "Set-pieces are very important, especially in the Premier League. Austin is very, very creative. We are speaking about set-pieces and trying to get an advantage to compete through it but other teams are the same way."
'This feels like the new normal for Villa'published at 12:06 BST 17 April
12:06 BST 17 April
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
A commanding 7-1 aggregate win over Bologna sealed Aston Villa's place in the Europa League semi-final with minimum fuss at Villa Park. And it barely registered as a momentous occasion - a marker of progress achieved under Unai Emery, who has transformed the club and raised standards and expectations in recent seasons.
This is Villa's second European semi-final in three seasons under the Spanish manager, following a Conference League run in 2023-24, and comes after a Champions League quarter-final appearance last season.
"If someone told me we'd be fighting for the Champions League and in a semi-final of the Europa League a couple of years ago I'd have bitten their hand off," said Ollie Watkins, who scored three goals over two legs against Bologna.
"So we are just trying to take it all in and enjoy the process," Villa's latest member of the 100-goal club told TNT Sports.
They are also firmly in the Premier League top-five race, sitting in fourth place with six games remaining and targeting a return to the Champions League via the league.
A European semi-final against Nottingham Forest now awaits them, and 10 years on from the despair of relegation, this feels like the new normal for Villa under Emery.
Aston Villa 4-0 Bologna - the fans' verdictpublished at 11:04 BST 17 April
11:04 BST 17 April
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your thoughts after Thursday's Europa League game between Aston Villa and Bologna.
Here are some of your comments:
Matt: Professional. Disciplined. Calculated. Aggressive. What a performance. Villa on the front foot to put the tie to bed early doors. Great to see Morgan Rogers and Emi Buendia being a threat again. Stalwart midfield. Next, two legs against Nottingham Forest to get to the final. If we had played with this conviction against Forest on Sunday in the Premier League, it would've been the same result. Now we have two games against them for silverware, surely we can start dreaming now? UTV.
Steve: Perfection, the Master has delivered - thank you, Unai. May you stay as head of this club for a very, very long time. Perfect game play. The most loved manager in the Premier League!
Prit: That's the Villa performance I've been waiting for all season. Four goals, four different goalscorers (and quality goals too), clean sheet and through to our second European semi-final in three years. Brilliant Villa, brilliant Unai, now let's win the thing (and finish third d in the Premier League, please). UTV.
Rob: Rogers' penalty aside, Villa put on a perfect performance. I thought we dealt with Bologna's press incredibly well and the build-up to each of our goals was incredible. That has to be one of Villa's best European games under Emery. Obviously, Forest are going to be much tougher to beat in the semis, but bring them on and UTV!
Mossy: A very comfortable win against a side that left their performance at home in the first half of the first leg. Getting the first goal was crucial and Villa just got the job done, a massive semi-final ahead now. All English cup games are never easy and it could go either way, I think whoever wins that semi-final will go on to lift the trophy. Nice to have a stress-free night to enjoy at Villa Park for a change. I was worried before the game but their main threat, Jonathan Rowe, was a shadow compared to the brilliant show he put on in Bologna. He barely featured at all, well managed by Villa, job done.
Liam: A fantastic team working for each other all over the park. Semi-final beckons, Forest over two legs is not an easy game at all. We will have to be at the top of our game, however, I truly believe that this is our year, our time to banish thirty years of hurt and qualify for the Champions League. UTV.
Aston Villa 4-0 Bologna (Agg 7-1): What Emery and McGinn saidpublished at 23:11 BST 16 April
23:11 BST 16 April
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery after the rampant win against Bologna: "I have my own experiences knowing how difficult it is in Europe, the process that we are doing and the demand.
"We extended the game plan that we did there last week in Bologna. We wanted to stop them and impose our way. The performance and quality form the two matches has been fantastic, but difficult. We have won this [quarter-final] clearly."
On Ollie Watkins' 100th goal for Villa: "Indeed, the numbers are very important. For him, this is a special day because he achieved it. We want to help them and support them to achieve different objectives they have.
"We need him scoring goals and assists. The strikers are very important. The minutes he played today were good but there is still work to do."
On facing Nottingham Forest in the semi-final: "It's important for both teams. They have the momentum in their history of doing it at the highest level. It's going to be a very good semi-final for both teams and the supporters.
"I know how hard it is to play in semi-finals."
Captain John McGinn speaking to TNT Sports: "We needed to get the first goal, it was very important. They are a dangerous team away from home. A great first half gets us to a semi-final. I'm delighted.
"They press you aggressively. Last week we didn't pass it forward enough."
On Watkins' achievement: "It's a great achievement for a massive club."
Did you know?
Aston Villa have won each of their last nine European games, setting the outright longest winning run by an English team in Uefa Cup/Europa League history.
Ollie Watkins is now the outright top goalscorer in major European competition for Aston Villa with 10 goals, overtaking Peter Withe and John McGinn who scored nine each.
Hear more from Emery speaking after the match on BBC Sounds here or by clicking play below
Analysis: Watkins revels in 100-goal club as Villa prove title credentialspublished at 22:35 BST 16 April
22:35 BST 16 April
Adwaidh Rajan BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Aston Villa did much of the hard work in the first leg where they ran out 3-1 winners in Italy.
Ollie Watkins struck twice - including a decisive goal in 94th minute - to give Villa a firm grip on the quarter-final tie and his timing was impeccable again at Villa Park, opening the scoring early to allay any fears of an improbable Bologna comeback.
Finishing off a slick team move which involved nine Villa players, Watkins became the 11th player to hit 100 goals for the club and the first since Peter McParland in 1962 to reach the milestone.
He also became their outright top scorer in major European competition with 10 goals, overtaking Peter Withe and McGinn.
Since his Villa debut on 15 September 2020, only Mohamed Salah (159) and Erling Haaland (157) have scored more goals than Watkins in all competitions.
With five goals in seven matches now, he did his chances of making it to England's World Cup squad no harm with another clinical display as Villa's main attacking figure as they chase their first major continental honour since winning the European Cup in 1982.
They have barely had to break a sweat in the competition on their way to the last four with an unexpected 2-1 defeat by Go Ahead Eagles in the Netherlands the only blip in an otherwise spotless campaign.
With seven wins in eight league stage fixtures, they finished level on 21 points with table toppers Lyon before overcoming Lille 3-0 on aggregate in the last 16.
But they stepped up a gear in the semi-final second leg against Bologna, the reigning Coppa Italia champions managed by Vincenzo Italiano, who guided Fiorentina to back-to-back Conference League finals in 2022-23 and 23-24.
English winger Jonathan Rowe had created plenty of problems for Villa in the first leg but this time, Emery's side were almost flawless, dealing calmly with what little threat that came their way while proving ruthless in front of the goal yet again.
With their striker in full flow, John McGinn back fit to add energy and leadership to the midfield and Rogers ending his goal drought, Villa look more than capable of going all the way and claim their first continental trophy in 44 years.
Follow Thursday's European games livepublished at 19:10 BST 16 April
19:10 BST 16 April
There are three Europa League and Conference League fixtures involving Premier League clubs on Thursday night - and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.
Europa League: Aston Villa v Bologna
Europa League: Nottingham Forest v Porto - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Aston Villa v Bologna: Team newspublished at 19:08 BST 16 April
19:08 BST 16 April
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has kept the side that secured a 3-1 win in the first leg at Bologna.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who missed Sunday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest after picking up a knock during the warm-up, is back in the starting line-up.
Tyrone Mings and Jadon Sancho also return to the matchday squad after recovering from injuries.
Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Tielemans, Onana, McGinn, Rogers, Buendia, Watkins.
The final countdown for Villapublished at 12:19 BST 16 April
12:19 BST 16 April
Mike Taylor BBC Radio WM reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Another week passes, and the countdown is now on. Ten games, at most, for Villa to meet their targets for this season, fulfil the dreams of their fans as well as their players and light the path to the club's medium-term ambitions of becoming re-established as a footballing power in England and Europe.
You can gauge exactly how much of a footballing romantic you are by pointing to which of the above you thought of first, but they will all be true if Villa return from Istanbul next month with the Europa League trophy.
For all their achievements in the Premier League this season - and a top-five finish while sustaining a European run to the end would be an achievement without precedent in the club's history - the Europa League has always been the most efficient route to their goals this season. For the first time in living memory, Villa started a major competition as the clear favourite. Their 3-1 win in Bologna last week ensured that they remain on course to justify that billing.
You do not need the natural caution of a football manager to think that this quarter-final is not over yet. Villa were fortunate not to be two goals behind by half-time in Italy, but retained their grace under fire and exploited an advantage they had identified at set-pieces.
Bologna's domestic league position obliges them to throw everything they have at Villa tonight, their other hopes of returning to Europe next season all but lost. Villa should still be able to withstand it.
Villa Park has not been filled for Europa League games this season, a sore point with some Villa supporters. It would be a mistake to misinterpret this as a lack of enthusiasm for European football. At some of the clubs in the group Villa aspire to join, European games are an assumed feature of the calendar.
For Villa, European campaigns have been infrequent enough to be a cherished bonus, at a club where the folk-memory of 1982 is for ever passed on now to two generations of Villa fans who could never have been there.
Perhaps, if they consolidate their finances with another Champions League run next season, Villa will join the group who can expect Europe every year.
Even so, Villa fans are unlikely ever to take it for granted - it means too much. If the best Villa side since 1982 deliver the Europa League title next month, they will hear that emotion given full voice.
'You play to win it' - Tielemans on chance to reach Europa League semispublished at 06:45 BST 16 April
06:45 BST 16 April
Image source, Getty Images
Midfielder Youri Tielemans believes Aston Villa have momentum as they bid for success in the Europa League and to qualify for next season's Champions League in the closing weeks of the season.
Villa take a 3-1 lead into Thursday's quarter-final second leg against Bologna at Villa Park and are fourth in the Premier League - seven points above Chelsea in sixth.
"I think we can feel we're in a good moment," Tielemans said in his pre-match news conference.
"We've got some momentum with playing for the highest places in the Premier League and the quarter-final in the Europa League.
"But we're aware of where we are. We know our qualities and we deserve to be there because we work hard for it. We've got some really good results over the last few months. It's just a good time for us and we want to keep it until the end of the season.
"You play to win it. That's my mentality and also the mentality for many players in the squad.
"When you get there, you have to make sure you play the game as good as you can play and not think about the end moment because that's where you can get carried away sometimes. We need to keep playing like we do and hopefully win those games.
"We're firing, we are all fit and hopefully we can all stay fit. I'm sure if we are then our mentality in our heads is moving in the right direction, which is positive for us."
