Aston Villa vs Olympiacos LIVE: Europa Conference League result and reaction after El Kaabi hat-trick in semi-final first leg | OneFootball

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Aston Villa train for UECL semi-final against Olympiacos

Aston Villa mounted a comeback either side of half-time but ultimately were far too open defensively and suffered a 4-2 defeat in the Europa Conference League semi-final first leg against Olympiacos.

Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby netted either side of the interval, during which there was a medical emergency involving a fan, after Ayoub El Kaabi had scored twice for the Greek outfit. However, the visiting forward then immediately netted a penalty for his hat-trick and Ezri Konsa deflected in another goal for Olympiacos’ fourth, before Douglas Luiz missed a late penalty to leave Villa a mountain to climb in the second leg.

Olympiacos remain chasing a double, fighting for the title in the Greek top flight, fourth place but only one point off second - and now they have one foot in the final in Europe, too. Aston Villa vs Olympiacos predictions .

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Unai Emery meets his match as the Spanish conqueror of European football

The problem with assuming a Europa League winner with Sevilla is bound to conquer the continent is that there is more than one of them. Unai Emery can seem the king of Europe, but a defending champion has one foot in the Europa Conference League final. Rather than Emery’s fifth European trophy, it could be Jose Luis Mendilibar’s second in as many years after, courtesy of Ayoub El Kaabi’s hat-trick, Olympiacos stormed Villa Park.

Aston Villa may retain hope of two trips to Athens this month, for the final as well as the semi-final second leg, but they came Acropolis in Birmingham.

After penalties brought them to this stage, they could rue two more: the one Douglas Luiz conceded and the one he missed.

Villa’s first European semi-final for 42 years was a classic, but one they could regret, their defensive frailties allied with different types of misfortune for Olympiacos’ third and fourth goals. A historic occasion may lead to a landmark outcome if Olympiacos become the first Greek club to win a European trophy.

A night when Villa mustered one comeback, with Moussa Diaby creating one goal and scoring another either side of half-time, leaves them needing another.

Richard Jolly at Villa Park:

Unai Emery meets his match as the Spanish conqueror of European football

Aston Villa 2-4 Olympiacos: A late missed penalty by Douglas Luiz could prove costly after Ayoub El Kaabi hit a hat-trick

Karl Matchett2 May 2024 22:30

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FT - Aston Villa 2-4 Olympiacos

“El Kaabi’s got great movement and Villa were exposed. If you play a high line you’ve got to get it right and Villa didn’t. Cash played him onside the first one, Lenglet goes to press and doesn’t get there,” Peter Crouch explains on TNT Sports.

Villa’s defensive work was dreadfully disappointing throughout tonight, in truth - four conceded at home is poor, two allowed in the manner they were second half after such a big comeback is arguably worse.

Karl Matchett2 May 2024 22:14

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90+3’ - Aston Villa 2-4 Olympiacos

Watkins tries to fashion himself a chance in the box as time ticks away. Initially it’s good feet and he finds a bit of space, but one touch is just overcooked and the ball rolls frustratingly out of play.

That’s just about that - a missed penalty may prove costly, but Villa went from 2-2 to behind again far too quickly, they needed to hold control after mounting that comeback.

Karl Matchett2 May 2024 22:01

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86’ - Aston Villa 2-4 Olympiacos

McGinn tries his luck on the run but it’s saved by the keeper. Olympiacos know they are very close to a massive result here.

Villa Park sounds extremely deflated on the back of that miss from 12 yards by Luiz. He’s scored so many this term for them - what a time to miss the target.

Karl Matchett2 May 2024 21:53