Aston Villa vs Olympiacos Preview

• Villa to score 2 goals?
• Ollie Watkins to score in the first 30 minutes?

A historic night awaits at Villa Park as Aston Villa host Olympiacos in their first major European semi-final in 42 years.

This matchup is not only significant due to the stakes of reaching the UEFA Europa Conference League final in Athens but also marks Aston Villa’s first encounter with a Greek team in a competitive match.

Aston Villa’s Impressive Home Form

Aston Villa enter this semi-final with an impressive track record, having won all six of their home matches in this competition.

Despite a recent setback in the Premier League where they drew 2-2 with Chelsea after leading by two goals, the team has shown resilience.

Manager Unai Emery expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, highlighting their capability in balancing domestic and European commitments.

Aston Villa’s attacking prowess is evident, with the team scoring two or more goals in their last six consecutive home games and failing to score in only one of their past 31 European matches at Villa Park.

Olympiacos’ Season of Resilience

Olympiacos have faced challenges this season, including multiple managerial changes, but appear to have found stability under José Luís Mendilibar, who joined in February.

Mendilibar, coming off a Europa League victory last season with Sevilla, has led Olympiacos on a seven-game unbeaten streak (W6, D1), highlighted by a recent 4-1 win over Lamia.

Despite a historically poor record in England, recent performances, including three wins out of eight games—particularly against Arsenal—suggest Olympiacos can compete with Premier League teams.

Head-to-Head Outlook

This being the first meeting between Aston Villa and Olympiacos in European competition adds an element of unpredictability. However, both teams bring formidable form into this encounter, promising a tightly contested match.

Key Players to Watch

Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins has been crucial in their European campaign, scoring the opening goal within the first 30 minutes in each of the team’s last two home European matches.

For Olympiacos, Daniel Podence, a former Wolves player, is a significant threat. He scored a goal and assisted another in their last game and has a history of performing well against English sides, including scoring in his last head-to-head match against Villa.

Match Prediction

Considering Aston Villa’s strong home form in Europe and Olympiacos’s improving performances under Mendilibar, this match is poised to be competitive.

However, Villa’s consistent scoring at home and the emotional boost of playing a significant semi-final on their turf may give them the edge.

Expect a high-energy match with Villa likely to capitalise on their home advantage but Olympiacos not making it easy.

This semi-final match between Aston Villa and Olympiacos is more than just a ticket to the final—it’s a clash of resilience, history, and tactical acumen.

With both teams having much to prove, it promises to be an enthralling encounter for fans and neutrals alike. Villa Park is set for a night to remember as these two teams battle it out for a place in the final in Athens.

For more info on this game, you may also visit:

Aston Villa-Olympiacos | UEFA Europa Conference League 2023/24