‘Locals describing this as biggest game in Olympiacos’ history’
Tom Collomosse, Mail Sport, at the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis:
Some of the locals we’ve spoken to are describing this as the biggest game in Olympiacos’ history. Throw in this crowd and that’s a lot of pressure to handle for a group of players who are not used to being so close to a European final. Vicente Iborra was part of Unai Emery’s successful Sevilla side of the mid-2010s and will be key in that respect.
Buendia in attendence
This is lovely to see!
Emiliano Buendia has not featured this season due to an ACL injury he picked up in pre-season.
However, although he is not ready for tonight, Buendia is now nearing a return to action and is back in team training.
It seems he has decided to travel to Greece to cheer on his teammates, they are going to need all the help they can get.
Huge night for Olympiacos
I think this post explains the atmosphere.
As I said earlier, Olympiacos have never made it to a major European final before, Tonight is huge for them.
I hear the passion just from reading the post, it’s even getting me amped up…
Hostile atmopshere
Tom is completely right, it’s incredibly loud at the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis – it’s a truly incredible atmosphere.
To think, the players haven’t even started their warm-ups yet…
Aston Villa are going to have to somehow block the atmosphere out, but I’m not sure how, it’s deafening.
An early goal may silence them though, for Villa that is.
Noisy at the Georgios Karaiskakis
Tom Collomosse, Mail Sport, at the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis:
The last time I was here for a competitive game, Olympiacos drew 1-1 with Wolves in an empty stadium. The date was March 12, 2020 and the Covid pandemic was sending life into lockdown. It’s a little noisier tonight.
Free-scoring Greeks
Speaking of Ayoub El Kaabi, he is loving this competition.
Despite only being involved since the knockouts, El Kaabi is the top scorer in the Europa Conference League this season, with eight goals.
He’s scored 11 times in major European competitions in 2023-24, which is more than any other player.
In addition, Olympiacos are the top-scoring side in the knockout stages with 16 goals.
I think we should all expect goals tonight.
Olympiacos Team News – ONE Change
Just the one change for Olympiacos.
Quini comes in at left-back to replace Francisco Ortega who is out injured.
Of course, Ayoub El Kaabi leads the line after netting a hat-trick last week.
Watkins seeking club record
What a season Ollie Watkins is having, just earlier today he was nominated for the Premier League Player of the Season award.
Watkins has scored 27 goals in all competitions this season, with five coming in the Europa Conference League
If he adds another to his tally tonight, the England international will set a new club record for most goals scored in major European competitions in a single campaign.
In all honesty, though, this record probably isn’t on his mind.
‘Brilliant throwback atmosphere’
Tom Collomosse, Mail Sport, at the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis:
Brilliant throwback atmosphere. Even someone having a crafty cigarette in the press box. Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis, who also owns Nottingham Forest, is currently standing on the touchline talking to other club officials. Seems in very good spirits – it’s up to Villa to change his mood.
More Martinez heroics incoming?
So, Emi Martinez returns, a huge boost for Aston Villa.
The last time he played in the Europa Conference League he was the penalty shootout hero.
If Villa even manage to get to penalties, it would be huge, and if they do, could Martinez do it again?
Aston Villa Team News – Martinez STARTS
We have our answer, Emi Martinez is fit to start!
He is one of three changes to the side that lost the first leg 4-2 at Villa Park last week.
The other two are both in the defence as Pau Torres and Diego Carlos come in for Clement Llenglet and the injured Morgan Rogers.
It looks like Matty Cash will move into midfield.
Villa arrive!
Aston Villa have arrived for tonight’s crunch match.
It seems they are trying their own version of the ‘Abbey Road’ album cover from the Beatles.
It’s a huge night for them, I bet the nerve will be jangling, or maybe they won’t… they have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
‘There is hope for Villa tonight’
Tom Collomosse, Mail Sport, at the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis:
Tough as this will be, there is hope for Villa tonight. If Martinez – as seems likely – starts, they are a different team. And Olympiacos have not beaten an English team here since their win over Burnley nearly six years ago. At 4-2 up, how will the home side play it?
Martinez fit to play?
The answer is, we don’t know yet…
Emi Martinez has travelled to Greece with his Aston Villa teammates and faces a late fitness test which will determine if he features.
The Argentine goalkeeper has sat out the last two games with a hamstring problem, which included the first leg, although he was suspended anyway.
There is no guarantee that Martinez will return and Unai Emery could turn to Robin Olsen once again after saying on Wednesday ‘If he plays, he has our respect’.
Who will start in goal? The team news will be out soon…
Olympiacos on the brink of history
Tonight could potentially be a historical one for Olympiacos.
The Greek side are in pole position to make the Europa Conference League final, and if they seal the deal tonight, it will be the first time the club has ever made a European final.
They would also be only the second Greek team to reach a major UEFA competition final, Panathinaikos are the one and only side to manage it back in 1970-71.
The stakes are high for Olympiacos.
Jose Luis Mendilibar: ‘We have to be focused’
Jose Luis Mendilibar, Olympiacos boss, speaking on Wednesday:
I hope not (the biggest match of the season). I hope there is one more. We have to be focused; the situation has not changed much since the first match. You qualify over two legs, and Aston Villa will play hard to reach the final, as will we. Both teams have a chance. The players are starting to believe in themselves and when you do that things can go a lot better.
Villa fans arriving… already
The Aston Villa fans are already making themselves heard.
It seems the fans want to make the most of their trip to Greece and have already started making their way into the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis.
It’s a huge night for their team, Villa will need their backing every step of the way.
Will they witness a historic night for their club?
Unai Emery: ‘Biggest game of the season’
Unai Emery, Aston Villa manager, speaking on Wednesday:
We must do better. It will be difficult with the atmosphere. We need to build a new experience here with our players and our idea. This is the biggest game of the season. We will try to come back but they are favourites. We will play there trying to show something different.
(What they need to improve) Everything. We conceded four goals, lost a lot of balls. We were extra motivated and extra excited. It’s a very good moment playing in the semi-final and we lost the first leg. We will have the second opportunity.
First Leg: Aston Villa 2-4 Olympiacos
It’s fair to say, Aston Villa had a nightmare last week.
Going into the first leg, the Villans were the favourites to win the competition, but things quickly changed as soon as play got underway.
Villa did not perform to the standard we have come accustomed to with them, while Olympiacos were ruthless. A hat-trick from Ayoub El Kaabi and Santiago Hezze’s deflected strike stunned Villa Park.
Villa did get level at one point through Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby, but they couldn’t keep the clinical Greek side out.
Their night got even worse when Douglas Luiz missed from the spot to make it 4-3. It was not his finest evening in Villa colours.
Remember, it is only halfway, but it will take a monumental display from the English side to turn things around this evening.
Villa may be down but are not out… yet.
Fiorentina await winners
Fiorentina have only gone and done it again, haven’t they?
The Italian side have given themselves a chance to avenge their defeat to West Ham in the Europa Conference League final last year by securing their spot in the final for a second consecutive year.
It wasn’t drama-free by any means, but Fiorentina got the job done by means of an 85th-minute penalty to seal a 4-3 aggregate win over Club Brugges.
Who will they be meeting in the final, though, Olympiacos or Aston Villa?
The Italians will be watching intently tonight. If they are not still hungover, that is.
Elsewhere in Europe
Villa and Olympiacos are not the only teams in action tonight, there is also some Europa League semi-final action tonight, and the ties are looking tasty.
Atalanta vs Marseille (agg: 1-1) – 8pm
Bayer Leverkusen vs Roma (agg: 2-0) – 8pm
We will provide you with scoreline updates throughout the evening from these two matches.
Uphill battle in Piraeus
Aston Villa certainly haven’t made it easy for themselves…
They are going to have to pull off something special if they are to reach their first European final since 1982.
The Villans’ form of late has left something to be desired, they have just one win in their last five games in all competitions.
If you compare that with Olympiacos, who have won six of their last eight matches, then the task does not look any easier.
The Greek side have the chance to reach their first-ever European final, and no Greek team has ever won a major European trophy. There is a lot on the line for them.
All the ingredients blended together mean this match has the potential to be a classic.
I for one can’t wait for it to get started.
Can Villa mount miraculous comeback?
Alexa, play ‘I Believe in Miracles’ by the Jackson Sisters.
Aston Villa will certainly have to adopt that mantra this evening if they want to defy the odds and reach the Europa Conference League final.
The Villans have a mountain to climb in Greece after their 4-2 defeat to Olympiacos at Villa Park in the first leg.
It was a result that shocked many, but in truth, Villa’s form of late suggested that it was coming. They need that to change tonight.
Can Unai Emery’s side spring a shock comeback, or will Olympiacos compile European misery on the Villans?
To find out, make sure you stay with us all evening. It’s going to be a cracker.