Two more league wins will bring Champions League football to these parts next season, but unless Aston Villa can improve their European performances quickly, their journey in that competition will be short and bitter.
Villa’s hopes of a first major continental trophy since 1982 were left hanging by a thread as Ayoub El Kaabi scored a hat-trick to help Olympiacos to a chaotic victory. Not even the presence of the Prince of Wales in the director’s box could inspire his team to victory, nor the angry, boisterous Unai Emery that presented his players midway through the first half.
El Kaabi’s double put Olympiakos in control and although Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby scored either side of half-time to draw Villa level, El Kaabi set up a hat-trick from the spot and Santiago Hezze’s deflected effort made it four.
Douglas Luiz then missed a penalty, leaving Villa with the enormous task of overturning it in Athens next week and reaching the final of the Europa Conference League.
Villa were sloppy throughout and their performance showed once again how difficult they are in Emi Martinez’s absence. The Argentinian is not only the best goalkeeper in the world, but also the leader of this team, and Robin Olsen cannot match him on either of those qualities.
Olympiacos stunned Aston Villa as they recorded an emphatic 4-2 victory in the Europa Conference League semi-final on Thursday.
Olympiacos striker Ayoub El Kaabi scored his first of three goals with a well-taken goal after beating the offside trap
El Kaabi doubled the visitors’ lead after sneaking a shot past Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen
As impressive as Emery’s men have been domestically, they have tried their luck in Europe and will have to put on a show in Greece for the ages.
The stage was set for Villa to take another step towards history. A spectacular display in Holte End showed the words ‘Up The Villa!’ in burgundy and blue. Even the noise of the away team was drowned out as the home fans settled in and saw their team take another step towards European glory.
Already in the second minute there were warning signs when Robin Olsen – replacing the suspended Emi Martinez – made a good save on Vicente Iborra’s header. Although the Spaniard was flagged for offside, the decision would likely have been overturned had he scored.
Villa pushed forward and Morgan Rogers shot early from the edge of the box, drawing a sharp save from Kostas Tzolakis. Leon Bailey then had the ball in the net after a deflected cross from Ezri Konsa, after which the goal was disallowed due to a foul by Watkins on Francisco Ortega.
Unai Emery was annoyed by that, and the home fans even more so. Soon they were on the back of referee Marco Guida after each controversial incident, and their mood turned somber as Olympiacos took the lead.
El Kaabi was initially ruled offside when he punched Chiquinho’s ball past Robin Olsen, but after a brief VAR break the goal was given, with Matty Cash appearing to play the striker onside. And before the half-hour mark it got even worse for Villa.
Clement Lenglet – surprisingly preferred to Pau Torres – played a loose pass from defense and when the ball was worked to Daniel Podence, the former Wolves man’s chip sent El Kaabi through to beat Olsen and claim his second.
Moments later, during a stoppage in play, Emery lost his rag. The Basque stormed onto the pitch, shouted at Douglas Luiz, fired a volley at Olsen and let his players know exactly why he had made such of their performance up to that point.
Villa boss Unai Emery was furious when his team gave Olympiacos control of the match
Villa players looked shocked as they conceded four goals against their Greek opponent
England international Ollie Watkins reduced the deficit just before half time
Moussa Diaby equalized with a great finish at the start of the second half
Villa tried to respond, but after a fast break, Kostas Fortounis was not far away from Olympiacos’ third goal from the edge of the penalty area.
Bailey had spent more time on the ground than on his feet and he was frustrated at being denied a penalty due to a collision with Ortega.
The mood at Villa Park finally lifted when Matty Cash found Moussa Diaby, and Watkins ran through the misshapen defensive line to produce an excellent finish over Tzolakis into the far corner. As the home fans roared with relief, Emery gestured for calm.
The start of the second half was delayed by a medical emergency at Holte End, with supporters being asked to leave part of the stand to allow treatment.
When the match resumed, Villa were at full strength. Olympiakos couldn’t escape their own territory and it was no surprise when the equalizer arrived. Bailey and Diaby now traded positions regularly and when Bailey found the Frenchman he squeezed the ball through a gap at Tzolakis’ near post.
That should have given Villa the momentum they needed, all but Olympiacos. The Greek side were awarded a penalty when Iborra’s header hit Luiz’s arm, sending El Kaabi Olsen the wrong way to claim his hat-trick.
Douglas Luiz had a chance to score a goal almost at full-time, but blasted his penalty off the post
Villa midfielder Luiz hid his face in regret as his penalty hit the post and went wide
Olympiakos’ Santiago Hezze rounded off a shock victory for the visitors with his first goal for the club
Few scenes of edification followed as plastic bottles were launched from the Olympiakos section at the Villa fans in the North Stand.
The home side tried to respond again and Morgan Rogers shot into the side netting from a similar position to the one who brought his Diaby his goal.
And just when Villa needed fortune to smile at them, she looked away. Hezze collected the ball 25 yards out and Olsen had his shot covered until it hit Konsa’s shoulder and flew past the helpless Swede.
Villa were given another lifeline with ten minutes to go when substitute Jhon Duran was brought down, but their night got worse. It took forever for Luiz to score the penalty, but his effort hit the post and went wide.