Unai Emery has total trust in Aston Villa’s deputy goalkeeper Robin Olsen

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery says he has full faith in deputy goalkeeper Robin Olsen going into Thursday’s Europa League Conference semi-final first leg with Olympiacos.

The Sweden international will play as number one Emiliano Martinez is suspended after picking up three yellow cards in the competition so far, with two of them coming in the quarter-final second-leg win in Lille.

Olsen may well have been playing anyway as Martinez sustained a hamstring injury in the first half of Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea, with the 34-year-old coming on at half-time.

He did concede two goals, but also made a vital save at the death to deny Cole Palmer and earn his side a point.

Emery says he and his team have total trust in Olsen.

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

“Robin Olsen has been very competitive every day in training. When he played he helped the team and 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 he can feel comfortable as well playing.”

Emery on Robin Olsen: "When he plays, he helps the team. The team believes in him and trusts in his performance.

"For example, on Saturday against Chelsea, he saved us.

"He is humble and he is a very appreciated man in the dressing room." pic.twitter.com/qO3VwyFQqB

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 1, 2024

Defender Matty Cash added: “Robin has played so many games for his country, he is a really experienced player.

“Emi is probably the world number one, but Robin is