Olympiacos v Aston Villa injury news: 11 out, 4 doubts, two back and Emi Martinez check

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Latest injury and team news ahead of Olympiacos v Aston Villa in the second leg of the semi-final of the Europa Conference League.

Aston Villa have it all to do as they hope to overturn a two goal deficit against Olympiacos in the semi-final second leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League.

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The Villains had home advantage in the first leg but they couldn't make it count as Ayoub El Kaabi hat-trick and a Santiago Hezze header stunned them. Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby did keep them within the tie but Douglas Luiz missed the opportunity to make the deficit one after missing a penalty.

Unai Emery’s side suffered a hangover at the weekend as they lost 1-0 to Brighton & Hove Albion. Thankfully Tottenham Hotspur lost too in the pursuit of that fourth and final Champions League spot, but now they must overcome a barrier to reach their first major European final since 1982.

Olympiacos did not play a match at the weekend and so for any of their players that picked up any knocks, they will have been afforded a rest. Here’s the latest injury and team news ahead of kick-off, with pre-match press conferences to come later.

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Emi Martinez was ‘touch and go’ to return at the weekend against Brighton & Hove Albion. He could play on Thursday night. Emi Martinez was ‘touch and go’ to return at the weekend against Brighton & Hove Albion. He could play on Thursday night.
Emi Martinez was ‘touch and go’ to return at the weekend against Brighton & Hove Albion. He could play on Thursday night. | Getty Images

Aston Villa team news

In a positive bit of injury news, Emi Buendia rejoined group training at Bodymoor Heath this week. The 27-year-old has been out with an ACL injury suffered on the eve of the season and in the last few weeks has taken part in physical training. Tyrone Mings suffered a similar fate to Buendia, where he was stretchered off in the first game against Newcastle United, and he’s been out for a similar period. Both players aren’t expected to play in any of Villa’s remaining matches, but can get themselves fit and ready for pre-season.

Emi Martinez could return this week after Robin Olsen played at the weekend. Martinez was suspended anyway for the first leg but was dealing with a hamstring injury picked up against Chelsea. Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans was another played that exited the game early against Chelsea a few weeks ago. He's been dealing with a groin injury and thankfully it wasn't as bad as first feared, and he's in line for a return.

Nicolo Zaniolo was down in Sussex with the squad at the weekend but wasn't included in the match day squad. He's not played since the second leg of the quarter-final with Lille, but is another

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Boubacar Kamara is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury he picked up in February. He underwent surgery in March and that will force him to miss EURO 2024 with France. Jacob Ramsey is another who is out with a toe injury bringing his campaign to an early end.

Morgan Rogers is likely to miss out after being forced off in the 25-minute at the weekend. The 21-year-old has an apparent hamstring injury and his potential absence comes as a blow because he’s been impressive as of late.

Out: Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendia, Boubacar Kamara, Morgan Rogers and Jacob Ramsey. Doubt: Emi Martinez, Youri Tielemans, and Nicolo Zaniolo.

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Olympiacos team news

Olympiacos are unable to call upon several of their players because they could not register them. They made several transfers in the winter transfer window but there wasn't much movement for them to add them to their squad list.

Giulian Biancone, Ruben Vezo, Nelson Abbey, Jovane, Ivan Brnic, Gelson Martins and Fran Navarro are all absentees after not being registered.Navarro has five goals in 17 games for Olympiacos this season after joining on loan from FC Porto, but instead El Kaabi and Stefan Jovetic will have to deliver in attack.

Left-back Francisco Ortega only lasted 45 minutes against Villa and is a potential doubt. Former Manchester City striker Stevan Jovetic was an unused substitute in the first leg.

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Georgios Masouras and Andreas Ndoj are both available for selection after serving a ban because of a suspension. Masouras has nine goals this term for Olympiacos, whilst Ndoj has played the second most minutes as a centre-back with only Panagiotis Retsos playing more.

Out: Gelson Martins, Fran Navarro, Ivan Brnic, Jovane, Nelson Abbey and Ruben Vezo. Doubt: Francisco Ortega

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