Yahoo News Four reasons for Aston Villa optimism and why they can reach Europa Conference League final
Despite losing to Olympiacos at home by two goals in the first leg, there remains a firm belief among the Aston Villa dressing room that they can still progress to the Europa Conference League final.
Thousands of Villa fans have flocked to Athens for the game and many more will arrive this afternoon. They'll be hoping to return to Greece at the end of the month, but Unai Emery's side have a big task on their hands to overturn the deficit.
But this is not an insurmountable challenge for Villa. Here are just four reasons for optimism heading into Thursday night's second leg showdown at the Karaiskakis Stadium.
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OLYMPIACOS' DEFENSIVE RECORD
Villa are bound to make chances considering Olympiacos have shipped 20 goals in the 18 matches Jose Luis Mendilibar has taken charge of.
Olympiacos have only kept one clean sheet in their last six home games in all competitions and have conceded four against Maccabi Tel-Aviv in the Europa Conference League quarter finals before then winning 6-1 away from home.
They’ve conceded two or more goals in eight of their last 21 home games in all competitions, including in both of their last two home matches in the Europa Conference League. Villa also scored twice without playing particularly well at Villa Park last week and even missed a penalty.
POSSIBLE MARTINEZ RETURN
The possible return of Emi Martinez would give Villa a big boost. It's crucial that Villa do not concede the first goal and ideally, keep a clean sheet. Robin Olsen was excellent against Brighton on Sunday, but Martinez will give Villa a psychological advantage too.
Knowing that they have the best goalkeeper in the world at facing penalties, a win by two goals could be enough to see Villa go through if the Argentina number one can pull off more heroics.
Like Villa, Olympiacos also advanced to the semi-finals via a penalty shootout win away from home. Their 'keeper Konstantinos Tzolakis saved three spot kicks to book the Greek giants' place in the final four.
VILLA KNOW THE JOB IN HAND
Villa have to come out and play against Olympiacos and most importantly, score goals. It might even be a blessing in disguise that they need to be on the front foot.
Emery's side will have to play a perfect game to advance to the final by winning comfortably in the normal time to at least take the game to extra-time.
Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey and Moussa Diaby all have the quality to produce a goal out of nothing. It will be interesting to see how Emery selects his side considering Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans are both doubts.
Will he play Bailey on the left and Matty Cash on the right? Or might Tim Iroegbunam come into the side to allow McGinn to operate in a more advanced role? All will be revealed when the team news comes out at 6:45pm (BST) on Thursday.
EMERY'S EXPERIENCES
And finally, Villa have one of the most successful coaches in European football. With four UEFA titles, only two managers in history have won more.
This is his 16th season in Europe and among his many success stories, there have been moments of disappointment. Losing at home to Olympiacos is one, but this isn't the first time he has been tasked with overcoming a two-goal deficit in an away second leg.
Back in 2014, Emery's Sevilla side avenged a two-goal home defeat to Real Betis in the Europa League, winning 2-0 away from home in the second leg before advancing on penalties.
