Olympiacos vs Aston Villa Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

We have Europa Conference League semi-final second leg action as the fourth place side in Greece host fourth place in England. Matthew O’Regan has his Olympiacos vs Aston Villa prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview in what should be a barnstorming game. 

Our Olympiacos vs Aston prediction is for Aston Villa to win the match 1-2. 

In this article: 

• Olympiacos vs Aston Villa Tip 1: Over 5.5 Aston Villa Corners
• Olympiacos vs Aston Villa Tip 2: Over 8.5 goal kicks for Olympiacos and Over 13.5 Shots for Aston Villa
• Olympiacos vs Aston Villa Tip 3: Over 13.5 Free Kicks for Aston Villa

Olympiacos vs Aston Villa Prediction 1: Villa To Push Early

Europa Conference League,Thursday 9th May 20:00 (UK)

Olympiacos stunned heavy favourites Aston Villa at Villa Park. The Greek side were ruthless and clinical on the break, putting the Villians to the sword with their brave style of football.

This saw them run out deserved 2-4 winners, with Aston Villa surprisingly struggling with the high intensity. 

Unai Emery’s side also looked lethargic and out-of-sorts in the weekend defeat to an out-of-form Brighton side. However, with a two goal deficit to overcome on Thursday, the European expert Emery will have full confidence in his sides ability. 

In the first leg, Villa had chances to add to the scoreline, including a rare missed Douglas Luiz penalty, but they could not break down the tough Greek rearguard. In this game, Emery’s side hit six corners. 

The Villains are averaging 5.9 corners this season. However, in games they are chasing – like this one, they tend to increase their corner count. Villa went behind against Bournemouth in the 31st minute and hit 8 corners. They hit 11 against Brentford, 10 against West Ham, 6 against Tottenham and 10 against Manchester United, to name a few, in recent weeks. 

With Aston Villa needing to overcome a 2-goal deficit just to draw, expect them to pile on the pressure from minute one. 

• Olympiakos vs Aston Villa Prediction 1:Aston Villa Over 5.5 Corners (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.83
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

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Olympiacos vs Aston Villa Prediction 2: Shots, Shots, Shots

Sticking with the theme of Aston Villa chasing the game, the shots market intrigues me. While Aston Villa only recorded two shots in a dismal display at Brighton, it seemed apparent that Unai Emery was happy to settle for a point in his side’s quest for a Champions League finish. 

In the reverse fixture, Villa had 17 shots. When losing matches at half-time this season, Aston Villa have gone onto hit 16,9,11,13,15,12,15,23,13,8 and 17 shots for an average of 12.27 shots per game. With Aston Villa losing from minute one and needing to take the initiative, expect them to perform above their average. 

In European competitions thus far, Olympiakos have conceded an average of eight goal kicks per match, with Villa opponents averaging 8.6 – including Olympiakos, who had 10 in the first leg. 

Olympiakos should look to slow the game down and pack numbers behind the ball. Villa may have to force balls or long-shots, which should lead to many goal kicks. 

• Olympiacos vs Aston Villa Prediction 2: Over 8.5 Goal Kicks for Olympiacos and Over 13.5 Shots for Aston Villa (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.05
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

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Olympiacos vs Aston Villa Prediction 3: Foul Play

Aston Villa have developed a reputation in the prop-betting scene for their ability to draw free-kicks. They possess many tricky players who know how to draw fouls, as well as employ a very high line that often sees opposition strikers stray offside. 

Unai Emery’s side have drawn at least 14 free kicks in 11 of their last 15 games for an average of 15.8 per game. Olympiakos have conceded 14+ free kicks in 10 of their last 15 for an average of 16.86 per game. 

Villa should have plenty of the ball on Thursday night, and Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side will looks to disrupt their rhythm at any given moment. We should expect to see lots of niggly and tactical fouls from Olympiakos as they look to frustrate the visitors. Villa may also look to win soft fouls in and around the area to provide threats from set pieces. 

• Olympiacos vs Aston Villa Prediction 3: Over 13.5 Aston Villa Free Kicks (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.83
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Olympiacos vs Aston Villa Prediction odds via bet365 as at 09:00, May 7th 2024. Odds may now differ.

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Olympiacos vs Aston Villa Team News and Possible Lineups: Injuries mount up for visitors

Olympiakos are only missing a handful of players, with Andreas-Richardos Ntoi, Bandiougou Fadiga, Doron Leidner and Stevan Jovetic all expected to miss out. 

Aston Villa’s injuries woes have been well documented. In the defeat to Brighton, Villa were without Boubacar Kamara, Emi Martinez, Emi Buendia, Jacob Ramsey, Kortney Hause, Nico Zaniolo, Tyrone Mings and Youri Tielemans. Exciting winger Morgan Rogers also limped off in the first half with an injury. 

While Martinez should be back between the sticks, the rest of the Villa injury list should miss out again. 

Olympiacos possible starting lineup:
Tzolakis; Richards, Carmo, Retsos, Rodinei; Chiquinho, Iborra, Hezze; Podence, Fortounis, El Kaabi

Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Luiz, McGinn; Diaby, Bailey; Duran, Watkins

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Match Stats: Winner Emery

• Unai Emery has won four European Trophies
• Aston Villa have won just one of their last five games
• Olympiakos have yet to draw a home league game (13 wins, 4 losses)
• Olympiakos also beat West Ham at home earlier in the competition

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Olympiacos Fixtures: Double still on for Thrylos

• Vs Aston Villa (H)
• Vs PAOK (A)
• Vs AEK Athens (H)
• Vs Panathinaikos (A)

Aston Villa Fixtures: Villa Limping Over The Line

• Vs Olympiakos (A)
• Vs Liverpool (H)
• VS Crystal Palace (A)

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