Olympiacos v Aston Villa LIVE: Europa Conference League result and final score as Ayoub El Kaabi strikes twice
Olympiacos 2-0 Aston Villa (6-2 on agg): Unai Emery’s side were beaten in the semi-finals as Ayoub El Kaabi struck twice to send the Greek side through
Olympiacos striker Ayoub El Kaabi netted twice as the Greek side cruised into a Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina thanks to a 2-0 home win over Aston Villa that gave them a 6-2 victory on aggregate.
Villa started well but El Kaabi, who got a hat-trick in the first leg, broke the deadlock in the 10th minute as Daniel Podence slid the ball down the line for fullback Quini who picked out the Moroccan at the far post for a simple finish.
The visitors dominated possession in the first half, with winger Leon Bailey coming closest to an equaliser with a blistering shot in first-half stoppage time that Konstantinos Tzolakis parried away for a corner.
The second half offered more of the same but instead it was El Kaabi who netted again to send Olympiacos into a European final for the first time in their 99-year history, with the game taking place on May 29 at the home of Greek rivals AEK Athens.
Follow all the live action below and get the latest Olympiacos vs Aston Villa predictions and tips here.
Olympiacos 1-0 Aston Villa (5-2)
36 mins: It’s been all Villa since that El Kaabi goal, but they’ve yet to land a shot on target. It’s been all possession with little threat, and Olympiacos are happy to sit on their three-goal lead.
Olympiacos 1-0 Aston Villa (5-2)
33 mins: Bailey limps back to his feet, while Douglas Luiz stands over the free-kick... there’s a lot of conversation going into this.
Here we go... over from Luiz. Tame.
Olympiacos 1-0 Aston Villa (5-2)
29 mins: Better from Villa, but a worry for Bailey. The forward is wiped out on the edge on the box, with the ball then breaking to Diaby. The keeper gets out well to deny Diaby, but Bailey is still down.
Rodinei is booked for the challenge, which was heavy.
Olympiacos 1-0 Aston Villa (5-2)
27 mins: A half-chance, nothing more, for Villa as Digne picks out Bailey with a cross. But it left Bailey with a lot to do and he doesn’t manage to steer a header on target.
Watkins and Bailey then get in each other’s way on the edge of the box.
Olympiacos 1-0 Aston Villa (5-2)
24 mins: Villa get some joy as they find space for Digne on the left. But his cross is blocked, and from the corner, Olympiacos throw bodies in front of shots from Watkins and Bailey.
Luiz then shoots from distance, but Tzolakis holds onto it.
Olympiacos 1-0 Aston Villa (5-2)
20 mins: Villa look so narrow. Olympiacos are happy enough to sit behind the ball when Villa have it, and Emery’s side are struggling to open the Greeks up. Konsa and Cash are throwing their arms at each other, and a long spell on the edge of the box ends with Bailey slipping as he aimed a shot at goal.
Villa with 78 per cent possession so far.
Olympiacos 1-0 Aston Villa (5-2)
17 mins: Villa respond with some non-threatening possession. The home fans have alsmost breathed a sigh of relief after that early goal. It was getting a little tense after Villa’s decent start.
The boos are not as loud now, as Villa face a huge uphill task.
Olympiacos 1-0 Aston Villa (5-2)
The start Villa simply could not afford to make.
GOAL! Olympiacos 1-0 Aston Villa (5-2)
10 mins: A HUGE BLOW for Villa! And it’s Ayoub El Kaabi again! The hat-trick hero from last week scores the opener, which Villa just could not afford to concede.
Villa had started well, but they looked stretched when Olympiacos come forward. A ball across the face of goal picks out the Olympiacos striker, who finishes past Martinez.
Villa now require three.
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