Aston Villa faces an uphill battle following their 4-2 defeat against Olympiakos in the home leg of the Europa Conference League semi-final, but captain John McGinn remains resolute, asserting that their journey is far from over.
Unai Emery’s squad found themselves trailing 2-0 within the opening 30 minutes at Villa Park, only to mount a spirited comeback with goals from Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby. However, Olympiakos capitalized with two more goals in the second half, clinching the advantage ahead of the return leg in Athens next Thursday.
“We have a mountain to climb, but we know we’re capable,” expressed McGinn, reflecting on the challenging task ahead. Despite acknowledging Olympiakos’ tactical prowess, he emphasized Villa’s belief in their abilities.
Villa manager Emery acknowledged his team’s frustration, attributing the loss to lapses in possession while conceding that Olympiakos deserved the victory. With a wealth of experience in European competitions, Emery highlighted the need for his side to regroup and showcase their resilience in the forthcoming matches.
The focus now shifts to Villa’s pursuit of fourth place in the Premier League, with a crucial fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion looming on Sunday. Emery emphasized the importance of maintaining composure and concentration amidst the league campaign’s climax, recognizing the significance of their remaining matches.
Securing fourth place would mark a historic achievement for Villa, granting them entry into next season’s UEFA Champions League for the first time since their triumph in 1982. While reminiscing on past glories, Villa’s aspirations extend beyond nostalgia as they aim to make a triumphant return to Europe’s premier club competition.
