Aston Villa 2-4 Olympiacos: El Kaabi treble stuns Villa

Ayoub El Kaabi's stunning treble helped first-time semi-finalists Olympiacos prevail 4-2 away against Aston Villa in their UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final first leg.

Match in brief: Ruthless El Kaabi puts visitors in control

Ayoub El Kaabi hits his second of the gameAFP via Getty Images

The Villans, who had won all six home matches in the competition this season, qualifying included, tested Kostas Tzolakis in the visitors' goal early on via Morgan Rogers and Douglas Luiz. However, they were soon behind when Chiquinho's flick gave El Kaabi time and space to pick his spot past the advancing Robin Olsen.

The Moroccan international forward then added a second just before the half-hour, burying a deft finish following Daniel Podence's lofted pass.

The No9's precise penalty ensured he claimed his first UEFA competition hat-trickAFP via Getty Images

The Premier League outfit threatened a stunning comeback thanks to neat Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby strikes either side of half-time, but El Kaabi's third of the match – from the penalty spot after a Douglas Luiz handball – and a deflected Santiago Hezze effort, restored the Greek side's two-goal advantage.

Douglas Luiz had the opportunity to cut into that lead late on after David Carmo had brought down substitute Jhon Duran, but the Brazilian midfielder's spot kick clipped the outside of the post.

Douglas Luiz's spot kick glances off the uprightAFP via Getty Images

John Atkin, match reporter

A famous win for Olympiacos on the road, for the most part successfully frustrating Villa's passing game and preying on an unfamiliar back five. El Kaabi was brilliant, picking holes in the defence, timing his runs to perfection and finishing with aplomb. Villa may not have a mountain to climb next week, but it is certainly a very big hill. What can Unai Emery conjure?

Olympiacos salute their travelling supportAFP via Getty Images

Reaction 

Unai Emery, Aston Villa manager, speaking to TNT Sports: "They deserved to win. They are a good team. They have experience. We didn't play like we have been playing. We need to keep being consistent." 

John McGinn, Aston Villa captain, speaking to TNT Sports: "We wanted a lot more control, we wanted a victory going to Greece. They're a good side. They played very well tactically. They played the way we expected, so there were no surprises. We'll take responsibility, but it's up to us to go to Athens and turn it around. We need to play a lot better than we did tonight, but we're more than capable of doing it."

Ayoub El Kaabi holds onto the match ball at the final whistleGetty Images

Key stats

• El Kaabi's three strikes moved him level with Maccabi Tel Aviv's Eran Zahavi at the top of the scoring charts in this season's competition with eight goals.
• The Olympiacos No9 has now struck 13 goals in his 17 UEFA club competition appearances this term, qualifiers included.
• The Greek club have won four times in their last nine fixtures away to English sides.
• Aston Villa conceded four goals in a European home fixture for the first time.
• Ollie Watkins has struck in each of his last four UEFA club competition outings at Villa Park.

Line-ups

Aston Villa: Olsen; Cash, Lenglet, Konsa, Digne; Rogers (Duran 74), McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Diaby (Iroegbunam 84); Watkins, Bailey (Zaniolo 85)

Olympiacos: Tzolakis; Rodinei, Retsos, David Carmo, Ortega (Richards 46); Hezze, Iborra, Chiquinho; Podence (André Horta 70), Fortounis; El Kaabi

Destination: Athens

UEFA via Getty Images

The second leg takes place in Athens on Thursday 9 May.

The aggregate winners will be the nominal home team against Club Brugge or Fiorentina in the final in Athens on 29 May.