Aston Villa are preparing for a blockbuster European clash against Olympiacos on Thursday night, with Greek football expert Stephen Kountourou warning the Villans of three players who could cause problems.
Unai Emery will hope to see his side put one foot in the final of the Europa Conference League, as Aston Villa welcome Olympiacos to Villa Park tomorrow night.
The Villans will be eager to impose themselves in the first leg ahead of next week’s second leg in Greece, with lessons to be learnt from the quarter-final against LOSC Lille.
READ MORE: Aston Villa predicted XI, injury and team news v Olympiacos
Against the French outfit, Villa took a one-goal lead to the second leg, which was quickly chalked out by Lille who took the game the extra time and penalties.
In front of the home support on Thursday night, the hosts will aim to take a comprehensive lead to Greece next week however, it won’t be easy.
Aston Villa warned of three Olympiacos players who could cause problems
Like every club that Villa have faced in the competition so far, Olympiacos will arrive in Birmingham looking to test the Premier League side, with three of the club’s ‘dangermen’ identified as key areas of threat.
Speaking on the Claret and Blue podcast, Greek football expert Stephen Kountourou revealed who the Villans should be wary of ahead of Thursday’s tie.
Daniel Podence – RW
“The dangermen, Daniel Podence has been excellent for Olympiacos from Wolves this season, he can create something out of nothing, but he can go missing at times in games when they nullify his creativity.”
Kostas Fortounis – AM
“Kostas Fortounis, he’s the talisman of our team, he scored an amazing goal out of nothing against Fenerbahce, and he did the same thing against West Ham.”
Ayoub El Kaabi – ST
“Our striker El Kaabi, 23 goals this season, he’s had an excellent season, particularly in Europe and it’s going to be tough to stop him because he can just appear out of nowhere and score an important goal.”
Aston Villa will be wary of Olympiacos threat on Thursday evening
Against Lille, Villa came up against a dynamic front line that certainly tested Emery’s defence at times however, the Premier League club’s quality prevailed in the end.
READ MORE: 24 goal contribution ace poses threat for Aston Villa, he scored at Villa Park last season
A similar focus must be placed on tomorrow evening’s fixture, with the three players listed having scored 15 goals between them in Europe this term, playing in both the Europa League and Conference League.
It will be a test for Villa, just as it will be a test for Olympiacos, who will have an abundance of players to be wary of in the tie, in what is poised to be a thrilling fixture ahead at Villa Park.
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