Douglas Luiz insists belief is high in Aston Villa’s camp as they bid to reach the UEFA Europa Conference League final.
Villa travel to Piraeus to face an Olympiacos side leading 4-2 from last Thursday’s semi-final first leg at Villa Park.
Midfielder Luiz feels the clash at the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis is “a really special game for Aston Villa” and the squad is ready for the challenge ahead.
“The season has been great for us, we have played really good football and we are quite confident to show our game and style,” he said at Wednesday’s pre-match media conference.
“In the squad we believe we can win this game and go through to the final.”
Luiz added: “I think everyone is fully ready for the game because it’s a semi-final.
“It’s the opportunity to take Aston Villa into the final and this is the extra motivation it gives us to reach the final.
“It’s a plus for us to take to the pitch and try to keep fighting.
“Also, I’m really grateful to Aston Villa because it was the club who gave me a real opportunity to play in the Premier League.
“And every time I take to the pitch, I want to show that I’m really grateful for everything Villa have done for me.
“Tomorrow, I feel it’s a really special game for Aston Villa and I want to try my best to bring them to the final.”
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Villa will look to overturn a two-goal deficit in the second leg in Greece.
Olympiacos surged ahead last week thanks to a brace from Ayoub El Kaabi inside the opening half an hour, however Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby struck back to make it 2-2.
But El Kaabi completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot before the visitors added a fourth courtesy of Santiago Hezze’s deflected effort, while Luiz sent a late spot-kick against the outside of a post.
“Olympiacos didn’t surprise us, when we analysed with the manager, Olympiacos are a really good side and they showed it at Villa Park,” said Brazil international Luiz.
“They won the game and they probably deserved to win the game.
“It’s just halfway heading into this second leg, we have to play another 90 minutes, we are still believing we can go through.
“It’s not just me who’s confident, all the squad is fully focused on this game because it’s a huge game for Aston Villa.
“And we want to bring the club into a European final.”
