Aston Villa travel to Greece on Thursday knowing they need to score at least two goals to take the tie to extra-time.
That is because Villa fell to a shock 4-2 defeat in the home leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final with Olympiacos last Thursday.
Going into the game, Unai Emery‘s sides were most people’s favourites to win the competition, but now their chances of even making the final hang on a knife edge.
The Villa boss has some big decisions to make, particularly as a number of his players looked fatigued as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat away at Brighton on Sunday.
One of his biggest decisions revolves around his goalkeepers, with Emi Martinez potentially returning from injury in time for the Olympiacos clash.
Emi Martinez could return against Olympiacos
Martinez picked up an injury in the 2-2 draw against Chelsea, forcing him to withdraw at half-time.
Even had he not sustained that injury, the World Cup winning goalkeeper would not have played the first-leg against Olympiacos as he was suspended following his antics in the penalty shootout victory over Lille in the previous round.
Emery was hopeful that Martinez could recover from the hamstring injury he has been nursing in time for the league game against Brighton on Sunday.
The Spanish coach said on Friday: “Tomorrow [Saturday] is the key day. In case he [Martinez] will feel comfortable and without risk, he could be available.”
Martinez did not make the squad for the Brighton trip, but the fact he was almost in contention means he could well be fit for Thursday.
‘Outstanding’ Robin Olsen should continue to deputise for Martinez
That being said, it may be that Emery does not choose to throw Martinez back in against Olympiacos given the performance of stand-in stopper Robin Olsen against Brighton.
The Swedish goalkeeper has watched on patiently as Martinez kept goal for Villa this season, but put in a heroic performance on Sunday that deserved a clean sheet.
He very almost had one, too, as he saved Joao Pedro’s penalty before the ball cruelly rebounded to the taker to head home.
Aston Villa correspondent John Towley praised the performance of the second-choice ‘keeper on ‘X’, as he posted: “Robin Olsen was outstanding today and he deserves all the praise he is receiving. He made seven saves in total – including one to deny Brighton from the spot – and misplaced only one of the 42 passes he attempted. Full credit to him.”
Martinez is undoubtedly the number one at Villa Park, but Emery will have to decide if rushing the goalkeeper back is worth the risk; especially when he has a very capable number two in Olsen.
If there is any danger associated with playing Martinez, then Olsen should be rewarded for his fine performance at The Amex with another start in a crucial game.
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