Unai Emery trusts Aston Villa for season's biggest test

As Aston Villa prepares to confront Olympiacos in the second leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final, manager Unai Emery, aged 52, expressed confidence in his team’s readiness for what he deemed the season’s ultimate challenge. Following a setback in the first leg, where Ayoub El Kaabi’s hat-trick propelled Olympiacos to a 4-2 victory at Villa Park, Villa finds themselves tasked with overturning a two-goal deficit to secure a spot in the final, where Fiorentina awaits on May 29th.

Emery emphasized the significance of the upcoming match, labeling it as the defining moment of the season. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, he underscored his commitment to assembling the best possible lineup to ensure competitiveness on the pitch.

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Acknowledging the formidable task ahead, Emery recognized the daunting atmosphere awaiting his team at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus. Despite the challenges posed by the home crowd, he stressed the importance of maintaining focus, tactical discipline, and emotional control throughout the ninety minutes, emphasizing the need for meticulous attention to detail, including set-piece situations.

The Spanish manager indicated his intention to assess the fitness of first-choice goalkeeper Emi Martinez, who sustained an injury in late April against Chelsea. Emery conveyed his willingness to rely on second-choice goalkeeper Robin Olsen if Martinez is unavailable for the crucial encounter.

As Villa braces itself for the pivotal showdown, Emery’s confidence in his team’s ability to rise to the occasion underscores the determination and resilience ingrained within the squad as they strive to overcome adversity and secure a historic berth in the final.