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Marinakis Cheers from the Stands
In an electrifying display of football, Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who also presides over Olympiakos, joined the jubilant away supporters as Olympiakos secured a commanding 4-2 victory against Aston Villa. The win, which unfolded at Villa Park, has significantly hampered Villa’s aspirations of Europa Conference League glory.
El Kaabi’s Hat-Trick Heroics
Ayoub El Kaabi emerged as the star of the night, netting three goals to complete a sensational hat-trick. Alongside El Kaabi, Santiago Hezze’s deflected effort contributed to the Greek side’s tally, while Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby provided a glimmer of hope for the home team with their strikes.
Olympiakos Supporters Make Their Presence Felt
The away end was transformed into a sea of red and white, with Olympiakos fans delivering a wall of sound to propel their team to victory. Marinakis was seen celebrating the triumph with fans, sharing in the euphoria with high-fives and embraces.
Villa’s Uphill Battle in Piraeus
Despite a brief comeback from Aston Villa to even the scoreline, Olympiakos maintained their dominance. Hezze’s late goal, aided by a deflection off Ezri Konsa, left Villa’s goalkeeper Robin Olsen wrong-footed. A missed penalty by Douglas Luiz, hitting the post, added to Villa’s woes, setting up a challenging second leg in Greece.
Emery’s Call for Consistency
Aston Villa’s manager Unai Emery expressed his dissatisfaction with the team’s performance, calling for greater consistency. He acknowledged Olympiakos’ merit, citing their experience and aptitude as key factors in their win. With a top-four spot still in their sights, Villa must quickly regroup as they face Brighton in their ongoing Premier League campaign.
Olympiakos Awaits Villa for the Decisive Second Leg
While Aston Villa gears up for their next Premier League encounter, Olympiakos can bask in the afterglow of their league campaign, with their focus now firmly on the upcoming second leg. Emery has urged his players to prepare diligently, aiming to elevate their game for the crucial match next Thursday.
