Aston Villa are preparing for the decisive second-leg duel with Olympiacos on Thursday evening, with Greek football expert Stephen Kountourou now warning the hosts of one Villa player’s threat.
Unai Emery’s side must overcome a significant challenge against Olympiacos on Thursday night at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, as Aston Villa look to overturn a two-goal deficit.
The game is all that stands between Villa and the Europa Conference League final, where Fiorentina await however, the Midlands club have made their pursuit of European glory incredibly difficult.
In the first leg of the semi-final, not many would have written a 4-2 Olympiacos win in their script, with Ayoub El Kaabi dominating Villa’s back line by taking home the match ball, scoring a hattrick at Villa Park.
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Despite losing on the night last week, there were still glimpses of the dangers Emery’s attack could present to the Greek side, as Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby levelled the scoring at 2-2 before the visitors struck back.
The mission on Thursday night is clear, score at least two goals and keep a clean sheet, with Olympiacos now made wary of one element of Villa’s front line.
Olympiacos warned of Leon Bailey ahead of Aston Villa clash
Although he didn’t find himself on the scoresheet in the first leg, Leon Bailey has been identified as a player who could cause the hosts significant problems in the second leg.
Speaking on the Claret and Blue podcast building up to the game, journalist and Greek football expert Stephen Kountourou outlined how he expects Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side to play and how Bailey could be dangerous.
“Being ahead means that perhaps he’ll [Mendilibar] allow more pressure to be put on us because Villa need to score but I don’t think Mendilibar will change his tactics, we’ll just go out there to win without making any needless decisions that could cause issues on the counter.
“Villa were brilliant when they countered against us, especially Leon Bailey who caused a multitude of issues.”
In the first leg at Villa Park, the Jamaican attempted seven dribbles on the right side of attack, completing four and providing an assist, warning the Greek side of just how potent he can be when given space.
Leon Bailey can cause Olympiacos problems
With 28 goal contributions over the 2023/24 campaign, Olympiacos will fear Bailey based purely on his potency in front of goal however, the 26-year-old’s threat comes predominantly in the build-up.
In the Europa Conference League this season, no player averages more successful take-ons that lead to a shot than the Villa winger, who averages 0.92 per 90, as well as a monstrous 3.02 successful take-ons per 90, via FBref.
Emery must place great emphasis on the danger that the former Bayer Leverkusen star can create on the flank, with the confidence and opportunity there to get the better of the full-back, just as he did in the first leg.
It will be a mammoth challenge for the Midlands club to overcome, with all efforts required to reach their first European final in 42 years.
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