Aston Villa are gearing up to battle Olympiacos this evening at Villa Park, a challenge that Unai Emery must overcome without one of his most important players.
Villa Park will be the place to be this evening, as Aston Villa prepare for the Europa Conference League semi-final first leg against Olympiacos.
The Villans will be eyeing a spot in the final in what could be the Midlands clubs’ first involvement in a European final since the triumph of the class of 1982.
READ MORE: Aston Villa’s European Cup winning side: Where are they now?
42 years later, just two games separate Unai Emery’s side from the final but they must first conquer Olympiacos.
While Villa are the favourites based on their form in the Premier League this season, Emery has been warned of the ‘dangermen’ that the Greek side possess, in a contest that will see the two sides battle to take a step closer to European glory.
It’s poised to be a challenging tie for the Villans, who will face the first leg without a number of their key players, with one absence a big miss to tonight’s hosts.
Numbers show why Youri Tielemans will be a big miss for Aston Villa tonight
Yesterday, it was confirmed that Youri Tielemans will miss out on the action at Villa Park after sustaining a groin injury against Chelsea last week.
The Belgian was hauled off in the 27th minute against the Blues, with his absence evident as the midfield lost control during the 2-2 draw.
READ MORE: Aston Villa handed injury blow ahead of Olympiacos clash as timeframe now emerges
Tonight, Emery will have to select his XI without the 26-year-old, requiring the Spaniard to seek an alternative source of creativity.
That may be difficult to accomplish, with statistics showing just how influential the summer arrival has been in the Europa Conference League this season.
As relayed by Aston Villa Statto, no Villa player has created more chances in the tournament than Tielemans this campaign, who has recorded 13 chances created in nine appearances.
Who is the best option to replace Youri Tielemans against Olympiacos?
Lauded as ‘supernatural’ earlier this season by journalist John Townley, Tielemans is poised to miss the next two Villa fixtures, handing one player the chance to impose themselves in his absence.
The most obvious replacement would be Moussa Diaby, who came on in his place against Chelsea but, provided little effect during the fixture.
Morgan Rogers, who has been in searing form of late could be another option to move into the central areas to allow Diaby to play on the flank however, the boss has limited resources to play with due to injuries.
John McGinn is also flexible to play in Tielemans’ role although the Scotsman is likely needed in a deeper position due to other midfield absences.
It will be interesting to see how the boss decides to line his side up this evening, with a crucial game against Brighton approaching in the Premier League on Sunday.
