Unai Emery could depend on Omari Kellyman v Olympiacos as Aston Villa injury update emerges
Unai Emery will be hoping to take his side one step closer to the Europa Conference League title as Aston Villa welcome Olympiacos to Villa Park on Thursday (2 May).
The Villans looked to be heading into the European tie with a comfortable victory over Chelsea in the Premier League, with Marc Cucurella’s own goal and a brilliant effort from Morgan Rogers handing them a 2-0 lead.
Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher pegged Villa back to a 2-2 draw at Villa Park on Saturday 27 April, though, and the disappointment was compounded by the fact two of Emery’s key players left the field with injuries.
Both Youri Tielemans and Emiliano Martinez were forced off before the second half, and Emery has delivered an update on the duo, which will certainly have played a part in the capitulation.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, and transcribed by Jacob Tanswell via X on Saturday (27 April), he said: “Tomorrow we will test him [Martinez]. And with the injury with Tielemans, we will wait for tomorrow. Hopefully, not a lot.”
Omari Kellyman could take advantage of Aston Villa injuries
Omari Kellyman is a player who could benefit from Tielemans’ injury, even if Emery seems quietly confident that the Belgian may return for the Olympiacos tie.
With just four senior appearances since joining Villa from Derby County in June 2023, it could be a risk throwing the 18-year-old into an all-important Europa Conference League match.
However, Emery is quickly running out of midfield options, with Boubacar Kamara and Jacob Ramsey both suffering long-term injuries, and Kellyman has been impressing for the club’s Under-21s.
The young midfielder, who is capable of being deployed on either flank, has scored seven goals in 11 Premier League 2 matches, as well as notching in the EFL Trophy against Sutton United.
It is clear that Kellyman is trusted by Emery, having been on the fringes of the senior team on several occasions, even coming on against Manchester City in the Premier League earlier this season.
Therefore, it would be no surprise to see the 18-year-old involved as Olympiacos come to Villa Park on Thursday.
In other Aston Villa news, King has shared an Emery exit admission amid Bayern Munich interest.
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