Aston Villa vs Olympiacos: Preview, predictions and lineups

Aston Villa are readying themselves for their first European semi-final in over 20 years when they welcome Olympiacos to Villa Park for the first leg of their Europa Conference League tie on Thursday.

Unai Emery has earned a lofty reputation thanks to his work in European competitions and has guided Villa into the last four of the Conference League having previously lifted the Europa League with Sevilla and helping Villarreal into the Champions League semi-finals.

The Premier League side were forced to overcome Lille on penalties in the quarter-finals after surrendering a 2-1 advantage in the return leg. Emiliano Martinez once again proved his worth from 12 yards to send Villa through.

Emery’s men are taking on an Olympiacos side in the middle of a fierce Greek Super League title race. They currently sit fourth in their domestic league but are only five points adrift of leaders AEK Athens having played a game less.

Olympiacos, led by former Sevilla Europa League-winning manager Jose Luis Mendilibar, also squeezed into the last four having won their quarter-final on penalties. The Greek side beat Fenerbahce in their shootout 3-2.

Here’s 90min’s preview to Thursday’s Europa Conference League semi-final first leg at Villa Park.

Aston Villa vs Olympiacos H2H Record

This is the first competitive meeting between these two teams.

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Aston Villa vs Olympiacos on TV and live stream

Emery has had to deal with his fair share of injuries this season and the Spaniard will once again be without Boubacar Kamara, Tyrone Mings and Emiliano Buendia.

There are doubts surrounding Martinez after he was forced off against Chelsea, but the Villa goalkeeper is suspended for the first leg anyway after his antics in the penalty shootout.

Youri Tielemans is also a doubt, while Alex Moreno and Nicolo Zaniolo, who are both nursing muscle injuries, are unlikely to feature.

Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Olympiacos

Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Olympiacos (4-4-2): Olsen; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Bailey, Luiz, McGinn, Rogers; Diaby, Watkins.

The visitors are certainly without Dorion Leidner, who’s out for the rest of the season with a long-term knee injury.

There are doubts surrounding a whole host of players, including Andreas-Richardos Ntoi, Bandiougou Fadiga, David Carmo, Francisco Ortega and Vicente Iborra.

Former Manchester City striker Stefan Jovetic is nursing a knock and likely to miss out.

Olympiacos predicted lineup vs Aston Villa

Olympiacos predicted lineup vs Aston Villa (4-2-3-1):Tzolakis; Quini, Retsos, Abbey, Richards; Hezze, Horta; Martins, Chiquinho, Podence; Navarro.

This is a grand occasion for Villa and their fans in attendance will undoubtedly rise to the occasion on Thursday night.

Emery’s men tired against Chelsea at the weekend and there’s a sense his team are running on fumes right now, especially given the pile-up of injuries.

This is going to be a slog for the Villans against a wily Greek outfit, but they should take a lead into a tricky return leg.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Olympiacos

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