Aston Villa vs Olympiacos team news: Emery and Mendilibar name lineups in UECL semi-final

Unai Emery and Jose Luis Mendilibar have named their respective starting lineups and substitutes for this evening’s UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final first leg at Villa Park.

Aston Villa and Olympiacos face off in a game for the ages; the men in claret and blue taking on their first European last-four encounter for 42 years. After being given a hero’s welcome to the ground along Trinity Road, Emery’s side are ready for the most highly-anticipated game in the club’s recent history.

Robin Olsen starts in goal for Villa as expected, with Emiliano Martinez suspended for the first leg. Clement Lenglet comes in as a surprise starter, with Pau Torres on the bench. There’s also a place for Moussa Diaby in the team, with Youri Tielemans injured and unavailable for selection.

Tonight’s visitors name a strong team with Daniel Podence, Kostas Fortounis and Ayoub El Kaabi leading the line. Here are both sides in full.

Aston Villa vs Olympiacos team news

Villa XI: Olsen (GK); Cash, Konsa, Lenglet, Digne; D. Luiz, McGinn, Bailey, Rogers; Diaby, Watkins.

Villa subs: Gauci (GK), Wright (GK), D. Carlos, Pau, Zaniolo, Duran, Iroegbunam, Kesler-Hayden, Munroe, Kellyman, Young.

Olympiacos XI: Tzolakis (GK); Rodinei, Retsos, Carmo, Ortega; Horta, Hezze; Chiquinho, Fortounis, Podence; El Kaabi.

Olympiacos subs: TBC