Aston Villa faced a devastating blow against Olympiacos as Moroccan striker Ayoub El Kaabi netted a hat-trick, denting Villa’s Conference League final aspirations and leaving them in a difficult position.
Ayoub El Kaabi netted twice early on before Ollie Watkins reduced the deficit for Unai Emery’s side, and Moussa Diaby equalised moments after the interval.
Olympiakos roared back in front with an El Kaabi penalty and a deflected strike from Santiago Hezze.
Douglas Luiz missed a late penalty, meaning Villa must overturn a two-goal deficit in the second leg in Piraeus on May 9 to reach their first European final since 1982.
How it All Went Down for El Kaabi and Olympiacos
El Kaabi began the goal flurry with a clinical finish. It was initially disallowed for an offside, but that was overturned after a check by the video assistant referee (VAR).
The Morocco striker added a classy second when he latched on to Daniel Podence’s clever pass over the top and slipped the ball under Robin Olsen.
Watkins pulled a goal back for Villa in added time in the first half with an angled finish from just outside the six-yard box. Diaby then leveled as Konstantinos Tzolakis was beaten at his near post. Villa seemed to have the momentum at that point but were sucker-punched by their visitors.
Douglas Luiz handled a Panagiotis Retsos header, and El Kaabi coolly sent Olsen the wrong way from the resulting spot-kick to take his tally to eight goals in the competition.
There was more than an element of fortune in Olympiakos’ fourth as Hezze’s speculative effort flicked off the back of Ezri Konsa to wrong-foot Olsen.
Douglas Luiz had a late opportunity to atone for his error after David Carmo felled Jhon Duran but he failed to hit the target.
The presence of Villa fan Prince William, the Prince of Wales, and a colorful mosaic in the Holte End heightened a sense of expectation at a raucous Villa Park before kick-off.
Emery talked up the importance of a top-four Premier League finish in the build-up to this match, but for the fans in claret and blue, it was dreams of a first major trophy since 1996 that largely occupied their thoughts.
If those dreams are to become a reality, then Villa will need to be much improved in the second leg after they were caught cold by the intensity of an Olympiakos side motivated by their sense of destiny.
The Greek Super League side have never reached a major European final and played with fearless attacking verve as they pressed and harassed Villa into defensive lapses.
Certainly, Villa’s ability to play out from the back with composure was hampered by the absence of suspended goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and ball-playing defender Pau Torres.
Emery cut an animated figure in the technical area as he issued instructions to his side, with both Olsen and Clement Lenglet facing his anger.
Villa may need a tactical masterclass from their Spanish manager if they are to have a chance of overhauling Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side in Greece.