Thursday’s Football Tips: Aston Villa need a Greek epic to save Europa Conference League dream

ASTON VILLA will need to mount an epic Europa Conference League comeback tonight if they're to see off Olympiacos and reach their first European final since 1982.

Unai Emery's men were just evens with some firms to win the whole tournament heading into the first leg but they're now 4/1 outsiders at Bet365 after losing 4-2 at Villa Park.

Villa didn't play that badly but were caught out time and again on the break by the dangerous Greek side and keeper Emi Martinez was a big miss.

Boss Emery will be hoping the Argentine can return tonight but Olympiacos will get plenty of chances to kill off the tie as the Premier League team have no option but to go on the attack.

Olympiacos vs Aston Villa Top Betting Tips

The star of the show in the first leg was striker Ayoub El Kaabi as he helped himself to a hat-trick. I thought the Moroccan would be close to evens for a goal in the return but he's 21/10 at Bet365 while Paddy Power price him at 11/10 to either score or assist.

The first leg could have easily ended in a 5-5 draw and there should be more goals at both ends in Greece. Backing over 3.5 match strikes pays a best 7/5 with BetMGM.

I'm expecting the Greeks to have plenty of sights at goal as Villa leave gaps at the back. So the 7/4 on offer at Bet365 for a Villa keeper to make over 2.5 saves looks great value. It's not clear who will start between the sticks but Martinez and Robin Olsen are both available at 7/4.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Roma Top Betting Tips

Bayer Leverkusen fans must still be pinching themselves as their heroes close in on an Invincible treble. They still haven't lost a game at home or in Europe all season and lead Roma 2-0 heading into the second leg of their Europa League semi-final.

Paddy Power price Xabi Alonso's men at just 1/250 to reach the showpiece with Roma 25/1 shots to complete a remarkable comeback. The Serie A side need to go for it so I'm combining over 2.5 goals with BTTS at 6/5 with SkyBet.

Six yellows were flashed in the first leg and things could get out of hand again. Roma stopper Gianluca Mancini is a tempting 12/5 at BetMGM for a card while the Serie A side look good at -1 in the card handicap, which pays 13/8 (Bet365).

Atalanta vs Marseille Top Betting Tips

The other Europa League semi-final is on a knife edge with Atalanta and Marseille locked at 1-1 heading into the second leg in Italy.

Goals are usually guaranteed with Atalanta and it looked like we see a thriller when both sides scored inside 20 minutes of the first leg, But the scoring ended there and it has set things up nicely for the return.

The French side may play it a big more cagey away from home so I'm going to back Atalanta for corners. Betting on them at -2 in the corner handicap pays 11/10 at Bet365 while Unibet price over 6.5 Atalanta corners at 13/10.

Thursday's Football Tips: Super Singles

• Emi Martinez/Robin Olsen over 2.5 saves 7/4 Bet365
• Roma -1 card handicap 13/8 Bet365
• Over 6.5 Atalanta corners 13/10 Unibet

Upcoming Match Previews & Tips

• Thu 20:00 Olympiacos v Aston Villa
• Thu 20:00 Bayer Leverkusen v Roma
• Thu 20:00 Atalanta v Marseille
• VIP Tips: Banker Bet, Bonkers Bet & VIP Acca
• Thursday’s Goals Accumulator Tips: Today’s 9/2 Total Team Goals Acca

Racing Tips

Cairnzy is hoping for a hat-trick of winners at Chester after a triumph tinged by tragedy on Wednesday

• Racing Tips – Far Above Mary Holds Every Chance At Chester

As always, post your betting tips for today in the comments section below.

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