Olympiacos 2-0 Aston Villa (6-2 agg)

Aston Villa bowed out in the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League following a 2-0 second leg defeat against Olympiacos, going down 6-2 on aggregate.

Villa, trailing 4-2 from last week’s first leg, gave it everything as they searched for a route back into the tie, but a brace from Ayoub El Kaabi, who bagged a hat-trick in the initial meeting, proved the difference.

The Olympiacos striker converted an early 10^th-minute finish from close range against the run of play, before ending the contest in the latter stages as he broke clear and found the net, with a VAR review ruling him onside.

Unai Emery’s side dominated large parts at the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis, especially in the first half as they enjoyed 80 per cent possession.

But their quest for a first major European final since 1982 fell just short, with the run, which started in the play-off round against Hibernian in August, the club’s maiden journey across the continent for 15 years.

Villa will now turn their attention towards securing a top-four finish in the Premier League with two matches remaining this season.

Fit-again goalkeeper Emi Martínez returned having missed the first leg at Villa Park as well as last weekend’s league trip to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Martínez’s inclusion was one of two changes to Emery’s starting XI from the clash against the Seagulls, with Matty Cash also replacing the injured Morgan Rogers in Piraeus.

During his pre-match press conference, head coach Emery described the encounter as “the biggest challenge we’re going to face this year”.

And with supporters packing the stands from two hours before kick-off, a raucous atmosphere greeted the two sides as they entered the pitch.

Villa made a positive start but it was the hosts who took the lead after 10 minutes as El Kaabi converted Quini’s low cross from six yards.

Despite the early setback, the visitors responded positively and continued to dominate possession in the opening quarter, Luiz testing Kostas Tzolakis from long range.

The Villa midfielder subsequently dinked a free-kick over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area just after the half-hour mark.

Martínez saved a 25-yard effort from Olympiacos captain Kostas Fortounis, before Leon Bailey sent a teasing ball across the six-yard box which evaded his team-mates.

The Villa wide man then saw his stinging drive pushed behind by Tzolakis in first-half injury time as Emery’s side, despite their domination, trailed at the break.

Emery introduced Jhon Durán in the 58^th minute as the Villans continued to search for a route back into the semi-final.

And the substitute immediately tested Tzolakis while Ezri Konsa headed over from a corner amid further pressure from the visitors.

But, with the clock ticking towards the closing stages, El Kaabi was sent clear by a long ball from ‘keeper Tzolakis and slotted past Martínez, with the goal awarded following a VAR review.

Villa refused to give in and almost got deserved reward in injury time but Ollie Watkins’ header was tipped over Tzolakis, as the club’s European adventure for 2023/24 came to an end.