Olympiakos vs Aston Villa: UEFA Conference League Semi-Finals Second Leg Preview

Olympiakos vs Aston Villa: UEFA Conference League Semi-Finals Second Leg Preview


By Stephen Kountourou



UEFA Conference League Semi-Final Second Leg: 09/05/24

Kick-off Time: 22:00 Greek Time

Venue: Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium

Where to Watch: Cosmote Sport 2 HD


A two-legged tie can be one of the most nail-biting formats for club football supporters. Whether your club wins or loses the first leg, the anticipation for the conclusion of the second leg, and who progresses or bows out, is just as intense. 

Either way, it’s the hope that kills you. The hope for progression with your team ahead on aggregate or the hope of overturning a deposit to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. 

Olympiakos has experienced both this season, having famously comeback from the seemingly impossible against Maccabi Tel Aviv, and this Thursday against Aston Villa where they lead 4-2 on aggregate with the chance of reaching the first European final in the club's history. 

The job is far from done against the Premier League side. The players, the manager, the owner and the fans know it.


The jaw-dropping night at Villa Park

It is not an exaggeration to say that my jaw hit the floor multiple times in Olympiakos' shock 2-4 victory at Villa Park over Conference League favourites Aston Villa. Against one of the toughest teams Thrylos have faced so far this European campaign, they went ahead in the first 16 minutes. 

An excellent piece of skill, Chiquinho found Ayoub El Kaabi who timed his run, beat the offside trap and fired past Robin Olson to shock the hosts. Despite VAR checking for a potential offside, the goal was given and Olympiakos celebrated. 

Just before the half-hour mark, a pass from Daniel Podence found El Kaabi who controlled the ball with his head and scored again bringing the score to 0-2. Villa found a way back into the game just before the break. An excellent run from Leon Bailey found Ollie Watkins who rifled past Kostas Tzolakis. Both sides went into halftime with the score at 1-2 to the visitors. 

Early in the second half, the Villians would punish the Piraeus side with Leon Bailey once again creating the opportunity for Moussa Diaby to equalise. 

Olympiakos' confidence did not crumble, however, and fought to regain their lost lead. They did so a mere four minutes later. A penalty was given to the away side after a handball from Douglas Luiz. 

El Kaabi stepped up and sealed his hattrick from the spot, the first Olympiakos player to score one in Europe since Kostas Mitroglou, to put his side back in front.

The two-goal cushion that had been lost was restored with just over 20 minutes remaining. Santiago Hezze’s strike took a fortunate deflection off of Ezri Konsa, which caught Olen off guard and the score, to everyone's surprise, read 2-4 to Olympiakos at Villa Park.

With four minutes of normal time remaining, Unai Emery’s side where given a lifeline. A penalty was correctly given when David Carmo fouled Duran in the box. 

Douglas Luiz, the man who had conceded the penalty for his side, ironically, was the villain for the Villans on Thursday night as his shot cannoned off the post and out of play.

At the final whistle, the Thrylos faithful erupted into celebration as the players walked over to join in, knowing they may have won the battle but the war will be decided on the 9th of May. 


All still to play for 

Even with the two-goal cushion Olympiakos managed so salvaged during their trip to the UK, everyone knows that nothing is guaranteed. Jose Luis Mendilibar has had ample time to prepare, with no league fixtures over the weekend due to Greek easter, and the players got a deserved rest before the return leg. 

The impression the coach and the players gave in their interviews, their body language at the final whistle in Villa Park, and even their celebrations, indicate they know they still have a lot to do before they can say they are Europa Conference League finalists. 

Perhaps the way Maccabi Tel Aviv celebrated, after the first-leg thrashing, will be used as a warning to the Olympiakos players that the job is never done until both matches have concluded. 

If Thrylos play with the same fearlessness and decisiveness in front of the goal in a sold-out Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, then maybe, just maybe…..the dream of the final will become a reality.


@SteveKountourou

Hellas Football  

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