Aston Villa first major European semi-final since 1982 ultimately fell flat and unless Unai Emery can inspire a memorable turnaround in the port of Piraeus next week, his side’s adventure will end in disappointment.
Olympiakos stormed into a two-goal lead at Villa Park and despite Ollie Watkins pulling a goal back before half-time and Moussa Diaby restoring parity after the break, the Greek side roused again to run out 4-2 winners, Ayoub El Kaabi helping himself to a hat-trick.
It was a frustrating night for the hosts as Douglas Luiz missed a penalty in the 84th minute and the midfielder pulled his shirt over his face as he missed a chance to reduce the lead.
As the last English team to take part in European competition this season, Villa represented the Premier League flag. Also, thanks to the performance of his colleagues, only fourth place will guarantee a place in next season’s Champions League, but the Bundesliga will secure an additional spot according to the UEFA coefficient.
This was why fans were paying close attention to what was happening at Stamford Bridge. A loss to Chelsea and Villa’s wins against Liverpool and Brighton on Sunday would mean Tottenham, currently fifth in the table, would not qualify for Europe’s top competition. Fans can check their phones for updates from elsewhere, but Villa players need to stay focused on the task at hand.
However, things got off to a good start with Morgan Rodgers forcing Olympiakos’ quarter-final penalty shootout hero Kostas Tsolakis into a left-handed save and Leon Bailey’s header disallowed due to Clement Lenglet’s torn shirt.
After cutting Villa lost direction. At Vicente Iborra a few minutes later. Villa took a 2-0 lead with two goals from Ayub El Kaabi within 29 minutes, the first of which a VAR review showed Matty Cash had outplayed the in-form Moroccan striker.
It turns out, the goal was conceded — the team has scored 19 goals since the February game. El Kaabi scored after a great shot from Chiquinho, but Villa’s high line wasn’t high enough. His second goal came from a deft pass from former Wolves winger Daniel Podence.
Emery was able to give his players a sliver of spirit as play was stopped after 30 minutes due to Francisco Ortega’s injury. He attacked Douglas Lewis and made angry gestures. Next, it was Lenglet’s turn to face the music, followed by Robin Olsen.
Experienced Swedish goalkeeper Olsen started in place of the suspended Emiliano Martinez. Meanwhile, the stocky frame of Evangelos Marinakis, the Greek shipping tycoon who owns Olympiakos and Nottingham Forest, stood at the entrance to the executive box at Trinity Road Stand.
Olympiakos are Greece’s most successful team and are aiming for their 48th national team appearance. Although they won the title, they have not been able to advance deep into European competition since reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League in 1999.
Villa were in shock but recovered before half-time. Bailey appeared to be knocked to the ground by Ortega inside the penalty area, but Italian referee Marco Guida rejected the call for a penalty.
Before Emery headed to the tunnel, fourth official Donatas Ramsas signaled three minutes of extra time, with Watkins halving the lead with a first-time accurate goal and becoming Villa’s most famous supporter. One Prince William stood up. The change began with Olsen scoring Villa’s goal. Ezri Konsa pushed a pass to Cash, who found Diaby, who brought in Watkins. Villa ended the first half on a strong note with,
Douglas Luiz skewing a half-volley wide moments after Diaby saw a dribbled shot deflected wide.
The second half was delayed due to a medical emergency at the Holte End. Villa fans in the lower block closest to the Doug Ellis Stand were forced from their seats and when the match restarted around 10 minutes late, one fan was taken to an ambulance with his lights still flashing.
Villa started the second half as quickly as the first, but this time Diaby showed something as he fired a shot from a tight angle into Tsolakis’ near post. Bailey picked off Lenglet’s diagonal pass and released the rest to Diaby. Emery heartily gave his approval from the sideline with both thumbs up.
The same could not be said three minutes later when the referee awarded a ridiculous penalty to Douglas Ruiz and then penalized the Brazilian midfielder for handball in a corner. Panagiotis Letsos’ header was instinctively blocked by Douglas Luiz with his elbow raised, but the Villa player was inches from the Olympiakos defender. El Kaabi completed his hat-trick by sending Olsen in the opposite direction from 12 meters out.
Villa felt hurt, but more pain came. Olympiakos regained a two-goal lead in the 67th minute, albeit by chance. Santiago Hetze’s shot from 23 meters bounced off Konsa’s back, allowing Olsen to score Villa with a wrong foot. Olsen moved his foot to the left as Hedze began to move and was pushed back across the goal trying to grab the ball with his right arm, but was unable to prevent the ball from entering.
Villa had a great chance to reduce Olympiakos’ lead after David Carmo was penalized for a foul on substitute John Duran in the penalty area, but after a long wait. , Douglas Ruiz made a mistake and kicked the penalty kick into the goal. Post and next to it.
Olympiakos conceded a three-goal lead in the quarterfinals against Fenerbahce, but Villa on the outskirts of Athens will have to make a similar comeback to advance to the final.
