MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 10:41:56| >> :60:6:6:
[monks data]
Olympiacos
Conference League | Semi-Finals | 2nd Leg
May 9, 2024 at 8pm UK
Stadio Georgios Karaiskaki
Aston Villa logo

Olympiacos
2 - 0
Aston Villa

El Kaabi (10', 78')
Rodinei (30'), Podence (53'), Quini (67')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Luiz (45+5'), Iroegbunam (73'), Duran (89')

'Aston Villa won't extend frustration over Europe' - Unai Emery comments on Olympiacos defeat

'Villa won't extend frustration over Europe' - Emery comments on Olympiacos defeat
© Reuters
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery insists his players will quickly get over their Europa Conference League semi-final exit to Olympiacos.

Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has insisted that "it does not make sense" for his players to dwell on their Europa Conference League exit.

The Premier League outfit went into the second leg against Olympiacos facing a 4-2 deficit on aggregate, putting the onus on needing to make a fast start in Greece.

However, Ayoub El Kaabi - Villa's nemesis in the first leg - scored in the 10th minute to leave the West Midlands outfit facing even more of an uphill task.

While Villa had their opportunities, they never looked like getting back into the contest and El Kaabi would score his fifth goal of the tie 12 minutes from time to wrap up a 2-0 win.

As a result, Emery used the final stages to hand game time to some of the club's youngsters, resting key players for the challenges in the Premier League to come over the next 10 days.

Olympiacos players celebrate scoring their first goal on May 9, 2024© Reuters

What did Emery have to say?

Although Villa have gone through the season as the tournament favourites, Emery is eager for his squad to quickly forget about the experience they have had on the continent in the hope of finishing the campaign on a high.

Villa finish the season with matches against Liverpool and Crystal Palace as they bid to secure a first-ever appearance in the Champions League.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Emery said: "Firstly get back to Birmingham. Then tomorrow rest and Saturday we focus on the match on Sunday against Liverpool. We are motivated and excited for it. Yes today we are disappointed but only one team can win, so for us to continue with the frustration doesn't make sense.

"My message is clear. Move on and we have to try and finish the season doing an amazing season, particularly if we manage to achieve the last objective. Even without it [Champions League] we are in Europe in the Europa League.

"We will go over what we have done in the last two legs against Olympiakos and try to learn and take positives from it, take the information from it. Take the experience. Recover, reset and move on."

Olympiacos' Ayoub El Kaabi celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates on May 9, 2024© Reuters

What do Villa need to do in their final two matches?

Theoretically, much depends on the results and performances of Tottenham Hotspur, who trail Villa by seven points but possess a game in hand.

If Villa are to be denied a place at European football's top table, Spurs cannot lose any of their matches against Burnley, Manchester City and Sheffield United.

Spurs' trip to Burnley takes place two days prior to Villa playing host to Liverpool on Monday night, meaning that Emery's men will know if they still need to get points on the board.

Should Spurs beat Burnley, Villa would need to beat Liverpool to be confirmed as a Champions League qualifier. A draw would leave Villa requiring a point, while a defeat at Turf Moor for Spurs would ensure that Villa get over the line without kicking a ball.

ID:543278:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4994:
Written by
Darren Plant
No Data Analysis info

Click here for more stories about Unai Emery

Click here for more stories about Aston Villa

Game History

How you voted: Olympiacos vs Aston Villa

Olympiacos
40.3%
Draw
13.8%
Aston Villa
45.9%
283
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery before the match on March 2, 2024
Read Next:
Aston Villa 'confident of winning race for Man United, Arsenal target'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Chelsea550015
2Guimaraes541013
3Lugano540112
4Fiorentina540112
5Legia540112
6Shamrock532011
7Cercle Brugge531110
8Jagiellonia531110
9APOEL531110
10Rapid Vienna531110
11Djurgarden531110
12Heidenheim53029
13Pafos53029
14Gent53029
15Ljubljana53029
16Copenhagen52218
17Vikingur 52127
18Panathinaikos52127
19Borac Banja Luka52127
20Betis52127
21Hearts52036
22Omonia52036
23Mlada Boleslav52036
24Istanbul51225
25Astana51134
26Molde51134
27Backa Topola51134
28HJK Helsinki51134
29St Gallen51134
30Celje51134
31Noah51134
32New Saints51043
33Dinamo Minsk51043
34LASK50232
35Petrocub50141
36Larne50050


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!