Olympiacos FC posted another outstanding appearance against a Premier League opponent by downing Aston Villa 4-2 at Villa Park on Thursday evening in the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final.
Players of the Piraeus side spoiled Aston Villa’s return to a semi-final round in a major European competition for the first time in more than four decades.
Olympiacos striker Ayoub El Kaabi left the pitch with a “hat trick”, scoring in the 16th, 19th and 56th (P) minutes, followed by a fourth goal tacked on by Santiago Hezze in the 67th minute.
Soccer Football – Europa Conference League – Semi Final – First Leg – Aston Villa v Olympiacos – Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain – May 2, 2024 Olympiacos fans in the stands Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
One of Villa’s top performer amid a very successful season, Ollie Watkins, pulled one back with a goal in the first minute of injury time in the first half, with Moussa Diaby doubling the Birmingham club’s tally in the 52nd minute.
The second leg of the semi-final will be played at Olympiacos’ Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium next Thursday, May 9.
Aston Villa is the last English team standing in a European competition in the 2023-24 season. The club must now finish in fourth place to guarantee a Champions League spot next season.
