Villa – Olympiacos; Our first European semi since 1982

The Intertoto cup that we won in 2001 obviously doesn’t count then, even though it was administered by the same Uefa that administers all the current European competitions.
Just like football didn’t exist before the Premier league, nor did any older competitions that aren’t current, obviously.
I wonder how the dark side feels now their Fairs cup is being obliterated from history in a similar way?
They’re probably not as concerned as they are about their impending final game against Norwich on Saturday. Not that I’m too bothered. I just thought I’d throw it in, in case anyone doesn’t know the predicament they’re in and might fancy a bit of a laugh.

Anyway, I haven’t really said much about our Conference league exploits because I’m simply not knowledgeable enough about European football. I’ll watch it occasionally for a big game, as I did last night, but generally I don’t bother and am loathe to talk about European teams for fear of making myself look a mug, which in fairness, is already not too difficult.

And the same is true of Olympiacos. Except I do know one thing about them. I’m not really inclined to call the Greek league a joke, but the reality is there are a couple of Greek teams that very often feature in the Champion’s league and tonight’s opponents are one of them.
I’m quite surprised they never achieved qualification for this year’s competition, but they did make the Europa league, only to be relegated to face us.
Which all in all makes them tough opponents.

Squad news and the big one is that Martinez is suspended for receiving three yellows. Anyone else think is timewasting is becoming a bit tedious and more costly to the team than playing the game and not getting suspended?
Whatever it’s okay, because Olsen will replace him, which is fine because according to Unai “the team trust him and believe in him”.
Hmm, colour me not in the slightest bit convinced about that, but I’ll go with it. Not that there’s any choice. In fairness, his hamstring issue might have kept Emi out anyway and if that’s still affecting him, the rest can only help, you would think.
Tielemens and Moreno are out, but Zaniolo might be available, which is a good thing, because I feel he’s better suited to a more European game at this stage of his Villa career. If he stays with us, that is.

Olympiacos don’t seem to be in too bad shape regading injureis from what I can see, but defender Andrea Ntoi and midfielder Giorgos Masouras are both suspended for tonight’s first leg.

Thoughts then and it’s difficult, isn’t it?
As per, I’m predicting nothing, but the truth is over 2 legs, I’m not feeling confident. There’s no reason for it at all, other than just a hunch. I was chatting to a Manc who likes a bet and I said that if anything, I’d put my money on a draw for tonight.

Ultimately, I just think a lot depends on which Villa turn up. If we play well and our defence can keep it together, we’re more than capable of winning. And we do seem to be dveloping a bit of a knack of not losing, even when not playing well.
Here’s to nervously hoping. We need to take advantage of being at home ffor this leg.

UTV!

172 Comments

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  1. Roy Bracy
    Roy Bracy May 2, 2024 at 9:34 pm . Reply

    It’s obviously bent match
    Uefa want the Greek team in the final in Athens
    No question about it.
    At least Chelsea won .
    Hopefully villa can get job done on Sunday against Brighton but I think they’ve gone a game to far injuries caught us up.
    What a rotten week,villa out and been attacked by a dog,ripped lip and 7 wound on arm
    Wife got bitten in face as well
    So miserable 2 days

    1. Bum Bum
      Bum Bum May 2, 2024 at 9:40 pm . Reply

      Bloody hell Roy. Did this make the news? Sounds terrible!!!!

      XL Bully???

    2. BFR
      BFR May 2, 2024 at 9:42 pm . Reply

      Jesus, Roy. I hope they’ve put it down and arrested the owner! Get well soon, mate.

    3. Hitchens60
      Hitchens60 May 2, 2024 at 9:46 pm . Reply

      That’s awful; hope you are guys are recovering OK.

  2. Bum Bum
    Bum Bum May 2, 2024 at 9:35 pm . Reply

    Forest were right. Corruption all over. Playing 12 men all night.

    4-2 on a flukey goal. Come on lads!!!!

  3. Hitchens60
    Hitchens60 May 2, 2024 at 9:36 pm . Reply

    It can’t be a coincidence the amount of goals we concede when Olsen is in goal

    1. BFR
      BFR May 2, 2024 at 9:43 pm . Reply

      It’s not.

  4. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson May 2, 2024 at 9:40 pm . Reply

    Not only him Martinez should look at himself playing silly sods in games still it’s not over till the fat lady sings .

    1. Bum Bum
      Bum Bum May 2, 2024 at 9:41 pm . Reply

      He is injured though Bill.

    2. BFR
      BFR May 2, 2024 at 9:44 pm . Reply

      Correct, Bill.

  5. BFR
    BFR May 2, 2024 at 9:41 pm . Reply

    ☹️ right, I’m officially sulking.

  6. little8
    little8 May 2, 2024 at 9:42 pm . Reply

    Disappointed injury has caught up with us hopefully get 4th though

  7. Hitchens60
    Hitchens60 May 2, 2024 at 9:45 pm . Reply

    I’ve turned the sound off – the comms are having multiple orgasms over Olympiakos and their manager – it’s disgusting

    This has gone – Emery should take a few of our players off and give them a rest then play the kids in Greece and concentrate on 4th place

  8. Bum Bum
    Bum Bum May 2, 2024 at 9:47 pm . Reply

    Come on Zanioliolioliolio!!!!
    Penalty!!!!

  9. BFR
    BFR May 2, 2024 at 9:47 pm . Reply

    Well well well…

  10. Hitchens60
    Hitchens60 May 2, 2024 at 9:47 pm . Reply

    Oh we’ve got a penalty – will VAR override it?

  11. BFR
    BFR May 2, 2024 at 9:48 pm . Reply

    Blood pressure

    1. The Ron Saunders Stand
      The Ron Saunders Stand May 2, 2024 at 9:51 pm . Reply

      Only Took two handballs and one foul.

  12. BFR
    BFR May 2, 2024 at 9:49 pm . Reply

    BOOK THAT PRICK!

  13. Bum Bum
    Bum Bum May 2, 2024 at 9:50 pm . Reply

    Bloody hell. Luiz having a mare…

    Kids on. Resting legs.

  14. Hitchebs60
    Hitchebs60 May 2, 2024 at 9:50 pm . Reply

    And that my friends is the story of Villa’s night.

    1. BFR
      BFR May 2, 2024 at 9:52 pm . Reply

      So obvious he was going to miss.

      1. Hitchebs60
        Hitchebs60 May 2, 2024 at 9:57 pm . Reply

        Agreed BFR

    2. The Ron Saunders Stand
      The Ron Saunders Stand May 2, 2024 at 9:52 pm . Reply

      Liz should never have took that, too low on confidence.

      1. BFR
        BFR May 2, 2024 at 9:57 pm . Reply

        Exactly.

  15. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson May 2, 2024 at 9:51 pm . Reply

    You can get rid of Luis for me just look back at his contribution in some games, what a f jig miss from the spot even gives them a pen .

    1. Hitchens60
      Hitchens60 May 2, 2024 at 9:53 pm . Reply

      Yep Bill – I’d snap someone’s hand off for £80m

  16. BFR
    BFR May 2, 2024 at 9:51 pm . Reply

    I feel like smashing something…

  17. BFR
    BFR May 2, 2024 at 9:53 pm . Reply

    You have to ‘read the room.’ There’s no way Luiz should’ve anywhere near that penalty.

    1. Tom
      Tom May 2, 2024 at 10:00 pm . Reply

      I actually don’t know how to react to it all. She. You see how obvious it all is, I don’t blame the lads at all and that includes dougy
      You watch the ref blow bang on 5 mins

      1. BFR
        BFR May 2, 2024 at 10:06 pm . Reply

        I thought that too, Tom.

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