Olympiacos v Villa Pre-match Thread

[Brazilian Villain]

If Yuri available?

No, died on March 27, 1968.

[Dogtanian]

If Yuri available?

No, died on March 27, 1968.

And Laika?

[Skerra]

It’s a dilemma isn’t it? Do we want to qualify for European football as that will bring fatigue with the extra games. Do we want to progress in domestic cup competitions as extra matches will bring fatigue. Or, do we want to pay players mega bucks just for 38 league games to give their all and end up winning the league. Oh wait, that means we then qualify for CL with the extra matches and fatigue that involves!! Choices, choices!!

[Martyn Smith]

Can we, first and foremost, please, not have Konsa at right back. Adinga is still wiping the Amex turf with him as we speak...

[ADVILLAFAN]

Feel like it'll be like that League Cup Semi against Bolton, where we get a late goal, but not enough to see us to extra time.

First leg reminded me of that match, got it back to 2-2 only to chuck it away

Is Gavin McCann going to get sent off again?

Pretty sure Jlloyd got our late consolation goal  :'(

[Risso]

It was. Hitz with the first early on to give us a hope. Then Jlloyd went gallivanting up the wing and stuck the late one in.

[eamonn]

It's called the magic of the cup. Players know. No point saving anything for next week. Put it all on the line to reach the final. It will be tough. But they will get nervous if we put on a show.

So it’s a bit of a wing and a prayer? We’ll need more than that I think.

Lord I offer you my word on a wing
And I am trying hard to fit among your scheme of things

[Demitri_C]

It’s a dilemma isn’t it? Do we want to qualify for European football as that will bring fatigue with the extra games. Do we want to progress in domestic cup competitions as extra matches will bring fatigue. Or, do we want to pay players mega bucks just for 38 league games to give their all and end up winning the league. Oh wait, that means we then qualify for CL with the extra matches and fatigue that involves!! Choices, choices!!

Go for  the trophy i say and if we win we can rest a few for Liverpool and by time palace comes we we may have secured 4th so can afford to again rest some players

This is a fantastic opportunity why not go for it?

[PaulWinch again]

Can we, first and foremost, please, not have Konsa at right back. Adinga is still wiping the Amex turf with him as we speak...

To be honest he was pretty dreadful at centre back in the previous game. I think fatigue is a factor, but the whole defence feels very unstable at the moment. We’re changing combinations a lot and it shows.

[eamonn]

It seems clear that Tim isn't trusted by Unai to start games that matter.

[VillaTim]

Since his England call up Konsa has been anywhere between bang average and horrible . As a RB he is dire . I wish Emery would cease with the experiment, it doesn't work.

[Monty]

Since his England call up Konsa has been anywhere between bang average and horrible . As a RB he is dire . I wish Emery would cease with the experiment, it doesn't work.

Apart from beating Man City and Arsenal (twice) etc etc...

The main problem with Konsa at right back is, again, all about the midfield. The midfield needs to work if anything in our system is to work; if it goes awry, all sorts of things go wrong.

[VillaTim]

I still think since the call up he's been a bit too casual in his approach . It was a really clumsy challenge at Brighton which could be very costly .

[Monty]

I still think since the call up he's been a bit too casual in his approach . It was a really clumsy challenge at Brighton which could be very costly .

I think that's coincidence though - I think he's just tired like the rest of them. It was a clumsy challenge for sure, but also an exhausted one.

[Dogtanian]

It's called the magic of the cup. Players know. No point saving anything for next week. Put it all on the line to reach the final. It will be tough. But they will get nervous if we put on a show.

So it’s a bit of a wing and a prayer? We’ll need more than that I think.

Lord I offer you my word on a wing
And I am trying hard to fit among your scheme of things

The european canon is here.