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Image source, Getty Images

Olympiakos are on their third manager of the season.

Jose Luis Mendilibar, who won the Europa League with Sevilla last season, took over in February.

He replaced Carlos Carvalhal, who only lasted 11 games. Diego Martinez, who was only hired in the summer, was in charge for the first half of the season.

They are third in the Greek league.

Olympiakos boss Jose Luis Mendilibar says they would be a "laughing stock" if they changed their style of play against Villa.

"We have played against other good opponents. Aston Villa is a strong team, but we have also faced other equally strong teams," he said.

"If a team should change its style and approach because of an opponent from the Premier League, we would be a laughing stock if we did such a thing, and the opponent would be better than us.

"We cannot change our game; we will be ourselves and we will be good as always.

"We cannot change anything from what we have done so far. We are here, it means we have done things right. Maybe we will improve some things, but we will not change anything."

Mike Taylor
BBC WM commentator

As you know by now, Unai Emery is not into short cuts; he takes in the journey as much as the destination.

"Before the match, we were speaking in the dressing room," he explained on Saturday, when it seemed Villa had seen two important points leak away after their good start against Chelsea, while being grateful it was not three.

"The first objective to be in Europe after the Conference League is the Europa League, and we got it today, before even playing this match. It was a very good achievement for us."

And so it is. Villa are sure to finish no worse than fifth in the Premier League, a season of continued progress by any metric assured.

Well, any metric except one; the merciless nature of expectation. Villa have occupied a top-four position for so long now - all but one week since November - that not achieving it would cause them real, and undeserved, hurt.

Spurs' defeat on Sunday helped calm such fears for now, and on Thursday Villa fans will be attentive for news of any more Spurs mishaps even as they watch their own team in a European semi-final.

Emery, however, will not. His fascination with European competitions has been plain - and never far from his public comments - since the moment he walked into Villa Park. While the primacy of the Champions League is obvious, you can be sure that he wants the Europa Conference League on his already formidable record as well, simply because it is there; collecting every European experience like a child hunting the last sticker to complete his album.

For the long term of Aston Villa, finishing fourth and winning the right to compete in the Champions League would probably be the most meaningful achievement possible for them this month. To that end, Brighton away on Sunday could arguably be the higher priority for a coach juggling his dwindling resources.

But that will not be how it feels inside Villa Park. Wondering which competition the next European game in the stadium after Olympiakos will concern - and we now know for sure that there will be European football there next season - can wait.

The final league table will look nice in a frame on the wall. But Villa want a trophy for the cabinet.

Image source, PA Media

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery says securing a top-four finish in the Premier League remains the priority.

Villa are bidding to reach the Champions League or European Cup for the first time since 1982-83 - but they are also three wins away from a first trophy since 1996.

"We are very excited for the Conference League and very motivated with the Premier League," said Emery.

"It's not changing my first message when we started the season - the most important thing is the Premier League, then we can add the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Conference League.

"If we get to the end of the season being a contender, of course the importance is changing a little bit.

"The first priority is the Premier League but we're trying to do the best in both.

"When I arrived here my first objective was to get to Europe. We did a very big effort and we have the Europa Conference League. We have enjoyed it."

Michael Brown
BBC Sport pundit

For Aston Villa it is just about the game in front of them against Olympiakos and Unai Emery knows European competitions well.

They have Brighton after that in the Premier League and they have not been in good form lately, so he just needs to carry on approaching it as is.

Take the home game in the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League first and then go deal with Brighton at the weekend. That is all they can do. Take the one in front of you, knock it off and do the best you can.

It is difficult to know whether they will prioritise one competition or the other, because a trophy in Europe would be amazing for the supporters and everyone. But if they get top four, I think that would put them in a stronger position.

They have got to go for it, but it is very nervy.

However, I did hear from a supporter recently that they do not believe they are ready for that Champions League spot yet. It is interesting to hear their thoughts and questioning whether they are strong enough to go into Europe's top competition.

With Emery as manager and the experience they have, I feel they are in a position to say 'why not' and go for it if they do make the Champions League next season.

I also see them having a good opportunity to go and reach the Conference League final with the players they have got playing really well at the moment in key positions.

You have to say they have a good chance, and why not?

Image source, Reuters

Villa are without first-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez today.

He was booked for his antics in the penalty shootout against Lille in the last round, his third yellow card of the tournament which means a one-game ban.

The Argentine picked up a knock against Chelsea in the last game, so may have missed this one anyway.

“Martinez is very competitive and very important and helped us a lot. But when an issue like that, the yellow card, and a small injury, we have to protect and push another player in the squad," said boss Unai Emery.

"Robin Olsen has been very competitive. The team believes in him and trusts in his performances. On Saturday, he played 45 minutes against Chelsea and he saved us. He’s a humble man and hopefully he can help us and can feel comfortable playing.”

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery makes three changes to the side which drew 2-2 with Chelsea.

Goalkeeper Robin Olsen starts in place of Emiliano Martinez, who serves a one-match suspension after he was memorably shown two yellow cards in their quarter-final win over Lille.

Midfielder Youri Tielemans is out with a groin injury and is replaced by Moussa Diaby while Clement Lenglet is preferred in defence to Pau Torres, who drops to the bench.

Villa XI: Olsen, Cash, Konsa, Lenglet, Digne, Douglas Luiz, McGinn, Bailey, Diaby, Rogers, Watkins

Subs: Gauci, Wright, Carlos, Torres, Zaniolo, Duran, Hayden, Iroegbunam, Munroe, Kellyman, Young

Image source, BBC Sport

Olympiakos are without midfielder Giorgos Masouras and defender Andreas Ntoi, who are both suspended, as boss Jose Luis Mendilibar makes seven changes from the side which beat Lamia last weekend.

Ayoub El Kaabi, who has scored five goals in six Europa Conference League games this season, starts in attack.

Left-back Omar Richards, on loan with the Greek side from Nottingham Forest, is on the bench.

Olympiakos XI: Tzolakis, Ortega, David Carmo, Retsos, Rodinei, Chiquinho, Iborra, Hezze, Fortounis, Podence, El Kaabi

Subs: Paschalakis, Papadoudis, Horta, El-Arabi, Alexandropoulos, Quini, Carvalho, Jovetic, Richards, Prekates

Image source, BBC Sport

We will be focusing on Aston Villa tonight but we will have updates from the other three European semi-finals too.

In the other Europa Conference League tie, Fiorentina host Club Bruges.

And in the Europa League it's Roma v Bayer Leverkusen and Marseille v Atalanta.

Image source, Getty Images

A first European semi-final in 42 years for Aston Villa.

Still dreaming of a Champions League place. Guaranteed a Europa League place at least.

Things are going well for Villa. Can they get even better tonight?

Welcome to live text and radio commentary of their Europa Conference League semi-final first leg against Olympiakos.