Aston Villa vs Olympiacos Europa Conference League semi-final first leg preview: Where to watch, kick-off time, predicted line-ups
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Article summary
When is it? How can you watch it? What are the possible line-ups? All you need to know about the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final first leg between Aston Villa and Olympiacos.
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Aston Villa and Olympiacos meet in their UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final first leg on Thursday 2 May.
Aston Villa vs Olympiacos at a glance
When: Thursday 2 May (21:00 CET kick-off)
Where: Villa Park, Birmingham
What: UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final first leg
How to follow: Build-up and live coverage can be found here
Where to watch Aston Villa vs Olympiacos
Fans can find their local UEFA Europa Conference League broadcast partner(s) here.
What do you need to know?
As they prepare for their first ever UEFA club competition meeting with a Greek team, Unai Emery's Villa can take comfort from their home form: they have won all six of their Conference League games at Villa Park this season, qualifying included. Emery himself has reached five European finals as a coach (all in the Europa League), winning four of them, and recently signed a new contract amid rumours that he might head abroad. "I am focused here, 100%," the 52-year-old insisted.
When his side welcome Olympiacos, he will be up against a compatriot, José Luis Mendilibar, who won the Europa League last season as Sevilla boss. Olympiacos's third coach this season, Mendilibar has made good use of Moroccan striker Ayoub El Kaabi, who has scored five goals in six games in the competition since Thrylos's winter switch from the Europa League. Olympiacos's record in 20 games in England is not amazing (W3 D1 L16), but their desire to play in the final in Athens (a short journey from their Piraeus home) should not be underestimated.
Predicted line-ups
Aston Villa: Olsen; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Bailey, McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Rogers; Diaby, Watkins
Suspended: Martínez
Olympiacos: Tzolakis; Rodinei, Retsos, Carmo, Ortega; Chiquinho, Hezze, Horta; Podence, El Kaabi, Fortounis
Suspended: Masouras, Ntoi
Form guide
Aston Villa
Form (all competitions, most recent first): DWLWWD
Most recent result: Aston Villa 2-2 Chelsea, 27/04, English Premier League
Olympiacos
Form (all competitions, most recent first): WDWLWW
Most recent result: Olympiacos 4-1 Lamia, 28/04, Greek Super League
Expert prediction
John Atkin, match reporter
These are heady times at Villa Park. With Emery at the helm, the Birmingham side are on course for their first top-five Premier League finish since the mid-90s and through to a first UEFA club competition semi-final since winning the European Cup in 1982. The Villans' Conference League form has not quite reached the heights of their domestic efforts, but under 'Mr Europa' they have repeatedly found a way.
So too Olympiacos, albeit minus the impressive domestic form by the 47-time Greek champions' own high standards. In another Spaniard, Mendilibar, they are also led by a Europa League-winning coach, and their Under-19s have just won the UEFA Youth League, the club's historic first European title. Can the seniors stay on course for another in Athens on 29 May?
What the coaches say
Unai Emery, Aston Villa manager: "When I arrived here, I spoke about trying to increase our level in the Premier League, and we've gradually been getting better. And we want to be present in Europe. Hopefully, we can play in the Champions League with Aston Villa. We have to enjoy the moment we are having, try to build our experience and work hard to get more."
José Luis Mendilibar, Olympiacos coach: "We had a very tough game [against Fenerbahçe]. It tested our endurance to the fullest. Once it went to penalties, it was down to the players. I am pleased to be in the semi-finals. I hope to take the team further."
Destination: Athens
The 2023/24 Europa Conference League season will conclude at the AEK Arena in Athens, Greece on Wednesday 29 May.