Villa – Olympiacos: Mendilibar wins game against Emery and moves closer to conference finals

Olympiacos made a surprise during their visit to Villa Park and won the first game in the first leg of the Conference League semi-finals. Mendilibar won the Spanish bench from Unai Emery with an approach that highlighted the English team’s shortcomings. Kaabiwith three goals, and Douglas Louis who gave him a penalty and conceded another one in favor, the main characters of each team.

Jose Luis Mendilibar emerged victorious after visiting the fortress built by Aston Villa, who had yet to lose a Conference League game at Villa Park before this defeat. The approach of the Olympiacos coach knocked out a team that had been depressed for most of the match and he was short of ideas… even on the bench.

Olympiacos’ intense pressure to win the ball away from Aston Villa’s players did not take long to bear fruit. Birmingham’s legs were shaking and the Greek side took advantage of the uncertainty with an impressive display from Ayoub El Kaabi. The Moroccan striker scored three goals for his team and was a headache for the entire opposition defense.

While Aston Villa barely had the last possession, Olympiacos became masters of the game as time went on. Due to the fragility of the English team’s defence, every approach to the penalty area ended in a goal. Ollie Watkins’ goal on the stroke of half-time gave hope of a comeback, but it was just a mirage.

Aston Villa started the second half with the same momentum with which they finished the first 45 minutes after the goal. Diaby equalized after a mistake by goalkeeper Tsolakis, although his teammates soon blocked the ball again. Kaabi’s penalty made it 2-3, and ten minutes later Hezze made it 2-4 after Konsa hit the back without Olsen having time to react.

El Kaabi and Douglas Louis, heads and tails

Ayoub El Kaabi has been a nightmare for Aston Villa. Players, technical staff and fans of the Villains will have nightmares about him tonight. The Olympiacos striker scored three goals, the last time Aston Villa were on top, and He completed the scoring, leaving the second leg at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium.

Douglas Louis’s tossed coin came up heads. The Brazilian gave himself a penalty when his side were on top and missed the maximum penalty in the 84th minute. Already in the first half, Emery used every break to give instructions to his player, but they had no effect. Douglas Louis ended the game by apologizing to the fans.