Aston Villa are set to miss out on a European final, but their 'first priority' is the Premier League so it's still a 'good ebening' for Unai Emery...
Aston Villa are set to miss out on a European final, but their “first priority” is the Premier League so it’s still a ‘good ebening’ for Unai Emery…Unai Emery set his stall out during his pre- Olympiacos press conference, insisting the Premier League is the “first priority” for Aston Villa this season.the final remaining Champions League spot
With European Cup specialist Emery in charge and competing in a competition with opponents of lower quality than other tournaments, Aston Villa have long been earmarked as a favourite to win this season’s Europa Conference League.It’s just over 18 months since Steven Gerrard left Villa and they have been on a remarkable ride since their board pulled off a major coup to tempt Emery into leaving his cushty gig with Villarreal to return to the Premier League.
His replacement – Robin Olsen – was hailed as a “fantastic goalkeeper” by Villa defender Matty Cash in the build-up to Thursday night, but the hosts sorely missed their first-choice between the sticks as Olympiacos manager Jose Luis Mendilibar – who helped Sevilla win the Europa League last season before being sacked just eight games into this campaign – masterminded an expert game plan as his side successfully did a job on their opponents.
Olympiacos, who have scored at an average of over three goals per game since Mendilibar took over in February, were in dreamland after punishing a nervy Villa side in what turned out to be a rare off night for Emery’s men.
But just as Villa Park was silenced by El Kaabi’s opener in the 16th-minute, the stadium went quiet again a few moments after Diaby’s leveller as Olympiacos were awarded a penalty as Douglas Luiz was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area. His team-mates protested but the Brazil international’s arm was raised, so it was a fair call.
To compound their misery further, Luiz was unable to convert as he uncharacteristically shot wide with his spot-kick after Villa were awarded a spot-kick of their own in the final ten minutes.
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