Soccer

Aston Villa suffer Greek tragedy as Olympiakos score four at Villa Park

Ayoub El Kaabi’s hat-trick leaves Unai Emery’s hopes of a fifth European title in ruins

Ayoub El Kaabi scores Olympiacos' second goal past Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen during the Uefa Europa Conference League semi-final first leg match at Villa Park. Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images
Ayoub El Kaabi scores Olympiacos' second goal past Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen during the Uefa Europa Conference League semi-final first leg match at Villa Park. Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images
Thu May 02 2024 - 22:21
Europa Conference League semi-final, first leg: Aston Villa 2 Olympiakos 4

Aston Villa’s hopes of reaching a first European final since 1982 are in tatters after losing 4-2 in the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final against Olympiakos.

Villa, playing their biggest occasion in Europe since winning the European Cup 42 years ago, suffered a Greek tragedy as they crumbled on home soil.

Ayoub El Kaabi scored a hat-trick and Santiago Hezze’s deflected effort made it a memorable night for Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis’s side.

Villa looked primed to take control of the tie after goals either side of half-time from Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby had made it 2-2, but they capitulated to concede twice in 11 minutes.

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Even then, they could have boosted their chances but Douglas Luiz missed a penalty in the final 10 minutes.

Unai Emery is chasing a fifth European trophy, but that now looks unlikely as his side must overturn a two-goal deficit in next week’s second leg in Athens.

And that will be a tall order given they have only won two of six European away ties so far this season and Olympiakos is a notoriously tough place to go.