Villa Park awaits a truly historic night as Aston Villa, gearing up for a first European semi-final in 42 years, play host to Greek giants Olympiacos this Thursday.
Unai Emery’s men, fresh from Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Chelsea in the Premier League, must now revert their focus to the UEFA Europa Conference League. A two-legged affair against this season’s fourth-best Greek team is all that stands between Villa and the final in Athens but it’ll be hard work to get there.
Making a strong start is so important, as reflected in the quarter-finals. Villa went into the second leg against Lille with a one-goal aggregate advantage and it proved vital as Les Dogues ran out 2-1 victors in the second leg, before a dramatic penalty shootout win earned Villa a spot in the last four.
Emiliano Martinez was the spot-kick-saving hero in that fixture but Emery will have to make do without his preferred goalkeeper. The World Cup winner picked up three yellow cards across the semi-final matches, prompting a one-match ban. He’s also picked up a hamstring strain, making him a doubt for the second leg in Athens.
Youri Tielemans is another with a recent injury as the Belgium international was forced off against Chelsea with a groin issue. Scans have since confirmed the problem isn’t serious but care must be taken to ensure it stays that way.
Including a verdict for Tielemans, the replacement for Martinez and a change of role for captain John McGinn, here’s the starting lineup we predict Emery will name for the first leg against Olympiacos.
1. GK - Robin Olsen
Olsen, who Emery outlined as an impressive performer against Chelsea, will step in for the suspended Emiliano Martinez.
2. RB - Matty Cash
Cash scored the vital goal to bring the Lille quarter-final to extra time. Albeit not the best defensively, the Poland international’s attacking input cannot be ignored.
3. CB - Ezri Konsa
Konsa has often played at right-back but performs best in a more central role. Diego Carlos, meanwhile, has struggled and will probably be resorted to the bench.
4. CB - Pau Torres
Pau relishes big matches like this and the promise of a long European run was probably one of the key influences behind his Villa transfer.