This Thursday, Aston Villa hosted Olympiacos and lost 4-2. The match, played at Villa Park, was valid for the semi-finals of the Conference League. The English went behind 2-0 and managed to draw, however, they conceded two more goals. Brazilian Douglas Luiz, at the end of the match, missed a penalty and wasted the chance to reduce the deficit.
Now, the teams will face each other again next Thursday, at 4pm (Brasília time), at the Georgios Karaiskáki Stadium, in Greece. Whoever advances to the final will face the winner of the duel between Fiorentina and Club Brugge. The Italians took the lead in the first leg, after winning 3-2.
This Sunday, at 10am, Aston Villa turns its attention to the English Championship. The team faces Brighton, in the 26th round of the national competition, at The American Express Community Stadium. Olympiacos will only play again in the second leg of the Conference League semi-final.
What a night for Olympiacos 👏#UECL pic.twitter.com/lKiGr8kAye
— UEFA Europa Conference League (@europacnfleague) May 2, 2024
In the 9th minute of the first half, Aston Villa found the net with Leon Bailey. However, a foul was identified in the play and the goal was disallowed.
Olympiacos opened the scoring in the 16th minute of the first half. Chiquinho, with a beautiful pass, found Ayoubi El Kaabi invading the area. The Moroccan striker, unmarked, finished strongly and found the net.
Olympiacos’ second came in the 29th minute, still in the first half of the game, again from the feet of El Kaabi. This time, the striker beat the goalkeeper after receiving a beautiful throw from Daniel Podence, who found him between the defenders.
In stoppage time, in the 46th minute, Aston Villa pulled one back. Watkins received a deep pass from Diaby and crossed the ball, beating archer Tzolakis.
In the second stage, the home team managed to equalize the score, with Diaby, in the 7th minute. Leon Bailey saw the attacker in the penalty area and passed to the player, who, with almost no angle, managed to finish and fill the Greek team’s net.
Olympiacos regained the lead shortly after, at 11. Brazilian Douglas Luiz committed a penalty and El Kaabi took the penalty. The striker, who had already scored two goals in the match, scored his third goal.
In the 22nd minute, the Greek team scored again. Santiago Hezze received it from Daniel Podence and took a risk from outside the area. The ball deflected along the way and killed Olsen, the English team’s goalkeeper.
Aston Villa missed the chance to reduce the deficit in the 39th minute, after having a penalty in their favor. Douglas Luiz, on an uninspired night, wasted the charge, sending it out.
With a late goal, Fiorentina beats Club Brugge in Italy
In the other first leg of the semi-final, played at the Artemio Franchi Stadium, Fiorentina came out ahead after beating Club Brugge, from Belgium, 3-2. Sottil opened the scoring for the home team 5 minutes into the first half. Hans Vanaken, with a penalty, at 17, equalized for the Belgians. However, in the 37th minute, Belotti scored the Italians’ second.
Fiorentina take a one-goal lead to Bruges 👊#UECL pic.twitter.com/DSH0aZ9mIv
— UEFA Europa Conference League (@europacnfleague) May 2, 2024
In the second half, Brugge’s Onyedika received a second yellow card and was expelled from the match. However, even with one less, the team achieved a draw, in the 18th minute, with Igor Thiago. At 46, Nzola filled Brugge’s net and left Fiorentina with an advantage for the return match.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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