Yahoo News Aston Villa starting XI vs Olympiacos predicted as Unai Emery forced into two changes
Aston Villa face Olympiacos at Villa Park on Thursday night for the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final.
Unai Emery's side will be hoping to take a lead to Greece next week, like they did in the quarter-finals against Lille. Villa were two goals ahead in the first leg, before conceding late on at Villa Park.
Lille turned the tie around in the second leg, but Matty Cash's 87th minute strike took the game to extra-time, before Emi Martinez then became the hero on the night by saving two penalties. Olympiacos advanced to the last four by overcoming Fenerbahce.
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After going three goals up inside an hour, Olympiacos' lead in the first leg was cut to a single goal after a fight back from Fenerbahce at the Karaiskakis Stadium. Jose Luis Mendilibar's side managed to progress by also winning on penalties.
Emi Martinez suffered a hamstring injury in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea, but was suspended for the first leg anyway, while Olympiacos will be without defender Andreas Ntoi and midfielder Giorgos Masouras through suspension too.
Robin Olsen is set to start in goal and could play behind a back four of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres and Lucas Digne. Douglas Luiz and John McGinn will likely operate in the double pivot while Youri Tielemans is injured. The Belgian midfielder is expected to return to fitness next week after sustaining a groin injury last weekend.
Morgan Rogers and Leon Bailey should play on the wings while Moussa Diaby supports Ollie Watkins in attack.
Villa predicted XI: Olsen, Cash, Konsa, Pau, Digne, Luiz, McGinn, Bailey, Rogers, Diaby, Watkins.
