Olympiacos defeated Aston Villa 2-0, knocking them out of the UEFA Europa Conference League with a total aggregate score of 6-2. The Villans were unable to make an impact in the match.

Ayoub El Kaabi of Olympiakos was the star of the show as he celebrated with Kostas Fortounis after scoring his team’s second goal in their UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final second leg match against Aston Villa. The Greek side emerged victorious with a 2-0 win, securing a 6-2 aggregate victory.

Aston Villa’s hopes of reaching their first European final since 1982 were shattered by Olympiakos. The visitors got off to a terrible start, conceding a goal within 10 minutes as El Kaabi converted from Quini’s clever cross. Despite dominating possession for the rest of the first half, Villa failed to find the back of the net, with their best chance, a Leon Bailey shot, being pushed around the post.

The second half saw Villa continue to dominate possession, but they struggled to break through Olympiakos’ resolute defense. As they pushed forward, they left space open at the back, which El Kaabi exploited to score his fifth goal of the tie, sealing the victory for Olympiakos.

Aston Villa’s season seems to be running out of steam, as they have now lost three matches in a row. While reaching the semi-finals of a European competition is a significant achievement, Villa will be left wondering what could have been. With a Premier League defeat to Brighton sandwiched between the two legs against Olympiakos, manager Unai Emery will be eager to finish the season on a high note and secure a UEFA Champions League place.

Ayoub El Kaabi was undoubtedly the player of the match, with a hat-trick in the first leg and a brace in the second. He caused problems for Villa’s defenders throughout the game, using his pace and posing a constant threat on the counter-attack. His finishing was clinical, unlike Villa’s forwards, and his second goal in particular was emphatic, delighting the home supporters.

Player ratings for Olympiakos included Tzolakis (7), Rodinei (6), Retsos (7), Carmo (7), Quini (7), Hezze (6), Iborra (6), Chiquinho (7), Podence (7), El Kaabi (8), and Fortounis (7). Villa’s player ratings featured Martinez (6), Cash (7), Carlos (6), Konsa (6), Torres (6), Digne (6), Diaby (6), McGinn (6), Luiz (6), Bailey (6), and Watkins (6).

Key moments in the match included El Kaabi’s goal in the 10th minute, a superb save from Tzolakis to deny Bailey in the 45th minute, El Kaabi’s second goal in the 81st minute, and a magnificent save by the goalkeeper to keep out Watkins’ header in stoppage time.

In terms of key stats, Olympiakos’ victory secured their place in the UEFA Europa Conference League final, while Villa’s hopes of a European final were dashed.