Alan Hutton believes Aston Villa must deliver a perfect performance in the second leg in order to advance to the final of the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa cut a dejected figure after Ayoub El Kaabi of Olympiacos scored his team’s third goal and completed his hat-trick from a penalty kick. The second leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final is set to be a challenging one for Villa, as they will need to deliver a flawless performance to secure a spot in the final, according to TNT Sports expert Alan Hutton.

In the first leg, Villa suffered a 4-2 defeat, leaving them with an uphill battle in the second leg, which will take place in Athens on Thursday, May 9. The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

The atmosphere at Villa Park was dampened within the first 30 minutes when Ayoub El Kaabi scored two quick goals for Olympiacos. However, Ollie Watkins managed to give Villa a glimmer of hope by reducing the deficit just before half-time. The momentum seemed to shift in Villa’s favor when Moussa Diaby equalized in the 52nd minute.

Unfortunately, Villa’s hopes were dashed once again when Douglas Luiz was penalized for handball in the penalty box, allowing El Kaabi to complete his hat-trick from the spot. Olympiacos extended their lead to two goals with Santiago Hezze’s deflected strike from 25 yards, which wrong-footed goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

The drama continued when Villa were awarded a penalty in the 84th minute for a foul on Jhon Duran. However, Luiz failed to convert the opportunity, sending his effort wide.

Despite the two-goal deficit, Hutton, a former Villa defender, remains optimistic about the team’s chances. He believes that under their current manager, Villa is capable of delivering a flawless performance both defensively and offensively.

Villa captain John McGinn shares Hutton’s positivity and believes that his team has what it takes to turn the tie around in Athens. He acknowledges the responsibility they bear but is confident in their ability to attack Olympiacos and score the necessary goals.

While the task ahead is undoubtedly challenging, both Hutton and McGinn are hopeful that Villa can produce something special and secure a place in the final.

The second leg promises to be an intense affair, with the fans in Athens creating a vibrant atmosphere. Villa will need to summon all their match-winning abilities to overcome the deficit and achieve a remarkable comeback.