Aston Villa v Olympiacos - UECL Semi Final First Leg Pre Match

[Nev]

I think we're now in the realms of "fuck knows" given it's the semi-finals stage. The manager has repeatedly shown himself to be pragmatic when it comes to Europe, risk averse and prepared to take it all the way, the last round demonstrated that perfectly. If the wind blows our way we could take a decent lead into the second leg but I'm minded to predict a narrow win again. And I'm becoming increasingly worried about Dougie's form.

2-1

[Axl Rose]

3-1 to us

[algy]

Last home European game of the season whatever happens.

This is it. Nice comfortable win please, Villa.

[Vegas]

Bit of a risk in a semi final, bit I’d start Tim here to give shape to midfield and rotate a little bit.

[AV82EC]

A slightly nervy 2-1 win. Emery has been brilliant at us just doing enough to progress in this competition and has managed the workload required. We’re down to the bare bones in terms of personnel but we’ll have enough in this game.

[VillaTim]

-------- Olsen ---------
Cash Konsa Torres Digne
--- Luiz -- McGinn -----
Bailey ----------- Rogers
--- Duran ---- Watkins --

[Drummond]

I think we'll see Diaby rather than Duran.

[Ads]

We'll put a score on these.

[Legion]

0-2

[Rudy Can't Fail]

We'll put a score on these.

A 4-0 home win would do me. I don't want us having to go there to defend a small lead, not that we can't but more for my health. They'll come to defend in numbers so we'll need to take every shooting opportunity we get. We have midfielders that can all hit a ball from outside the box, Thursday would be a great time to remind us of these special talents.

EDIT: A couple of these would do the trick. Both goals were their first for the club and there was me expecting these type of goals every week.

[eamonn]

In 1940, Fascist Italy invaded Greece, and several Olympiacos players joined the Hellenic Army to fight against the Axis invaders.... after the subsequent German occupation of Greece, Olympiacos players joined the Greek Resistance and fought fiercely against the Nazis. Olympiacos player Nikos Godas, an emblematic figure for the club, was captain of the Greek People's Liberation Army (ELAS) and fought against the Germans in many fronts. He was executed wearing Olympiacos shirt and shorts, as was his last wish: "Shoot me and kill me with my Olympiacos shirt on, and do not blindfold me, I want to see the colours of my team before the final shot."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympiacos_F.C.

Cor, I can't see Prince Willy doing any of that.

[tomd2103]

No idea what sort of line-up we’ll go with…

Our midfield is very short of (defensive) options. Might need something imaginative…

I imagine it will be Bailey on the right, McGinn and Luiz in central midfield, with Rogers on the left.  Decent enough if they are fit and firing, but we will have very few options on the bench now. 

[Richard E]

We'll put a score on these.

Yeah, I think we might, too.

[Smirker]

We'll blow them away in the first half.

4-1 Villa.

FTF 

[brontebilly]

No idea what sort of line-up we’ll go with…

Our midfield is very short of (defensive) options. Might need something imaginative…

I imagine it will be Bailey on the right, McGinn and Luiz in central midfield, with Rogers on the left.  Decent enough if they are fit and firing, but we will have very few options on the bench now.

I'd prefer Rogers centre and Diaby on the left wing.

Is Zaniolo definitely out?