“Wednesday will be a much more difficult game. AEK have shown good form at home, beating Benfica, so we know it will be a hard tie.

“It’s quite well documented the surface is not the best here. But the stadium itself is fabulous. It’s a great opportunity for our players. We’ve played in some wonderful places this season, and this is another one.”

Like Everton, AEK are underwhelming in their domestic league, and currently stand in fifth place and 13 points off leaders Olympiakos.

With 14 yellow cards and four reds, the Greeks are the team with the worst disciplinary record in the competition.

Everton yesterday revealed an overall operating loss of £6.7million despite the success of a fifth-placed finish and an FA Cup final appearance.

But Moyes said: “It’s football, the world we are in just now. The finances are difficult for all football clubs not just in our country but every country.

“I think for us Europe is a vital revenue stream. The Europa League is a good competition. But for me, it’s not necessarily about making money it’s about trying to win a trophy.”

TONIGHT’S officials are from Switzerland, with Claudio Circhetta the referee.