Dan Bardell makes ‘worried’ Robin Olsen admission ahead of Aston Villa v Olympiacos
Dan Bardell believes Aston Villa fans will get behind Robin Olsen against Olympiacos on Thursday but admits he’s worried about the defence with him in goal.
The Villans are preparing for their Europa Conference League semi-final clash knowing they will be without their number one.
Emi Martinez picked up a suspension in the Lille game and as a result, Olsen will step in as goalkeeper against Olympiacos.
Bardell has suggested that there will be some nerves but has backed the Villa Park crowd to help the Swedish international through the game.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “He’s stepped in, in Europe, a few times this season already. Coming in for Martinez there’s obviously going to be a drop-off because he’s the best goalkeeper in the world.
“If you look at the stats, I don’t want to be harsh on Olsen but whenever he’s on the pitch we do seem to concede two-plus goals generally.
“It’s difficult for a goalkeeper who knows he’s number two; he knows he’s never going to compete for the number one spot with Martinez. It’s hard to come in and play a game every few months.
“I do worry slightly. Fans have got to get behind him as Villa fans and I think the fans in the ground will for such a big game.
“I do think there has been an improvement in him over the past year when he’s come in goal compared to last season. He looks a lot more assured. There is that huge drop-off, unfortunately.
“The defence knows Martinez so well and they’re always more unsure with Olsen behind them because they know Martinez’s game. I definitely am slightly worried.”
What impact can Robin Olsen have for Aston Villa v Olympiacos?
The Swede is no mug. He has made over 70 appearances for his national side and has played for some big teams like Copenhagen and Roma.
His difficulty is the drop-off between himself and Martinez who is quite easily one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
The Argentine has kept eight clean sheets this season [FotMob] and had a huge impact as the Villans got past Lille in the quarter-final shootout.
Olsen was forced into the limelight against Chelsea and despite conceding two, he couldn’t truly be faulted. His save against Cole Palmer was truly top-class.
What worries fans and his fellow players is his ability with the ball at his feet which is all important under Emery.
With that being said, he does have a 71.3 per cent pass accuracy this season [FotMob] which isn’t terrible but is a whole 10 per cent less than Martinez.
Olsen brings experience into a game where Villa need to be on top of their game if they want an advantage to take to Athens.
In other Aston Villa news, Unai Emery backed to complete £43m Nico Williams signing as latest stance emerges.
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