Premier League Player of the Season nominees, plus European reaction and build-up

Former Villa midfielder Ian Taylor, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live:

On whether they can overturn a two-goal deficit: “It didn’t go quite the way we wanted it to [in the first leg] but a lot of Villa fans have come here thinking ‘we’ve got nothing to lose’.

“If we lose, we lose but we’re so much different than we were 18 months ago when we were languishing at the bottom of the table and only wishing to be in Europe. Now we’re just enjoying the ride.”

On the chances of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez returning from injury: “The word is that he [Martinez] will be playing but obviously we don’t know until the team sheet is out.

“He makes a hell of a difference to our team and he’s a world class goalkeeper. [Robin] Olsen is a good number two but Martinez is world class.

“Against Lille [in the quarter-final] when we went to penalties, the confidence that went through the stadium because of Martinez was incredible. We are so confident when he’s in goal.

“It’s not just him, though, like Unai Emery says, the team is growing and we’ve got young hungry players that want to do well. There is no fear going into the games. It will be an intimidating atmosphere but we’ve got nothing to lose.”

On the race to secure a top four finish and Champions League football: “I’m not even thinking about that [top four].

“I thought weeks ago that Tottenham aren’t catching us. We’ve got points on the board and Spurs aren’t in great form, they’ve got tough games coming up.

“It would be a massive capitulation if we didn’t do it now.”