OLYMPIAKOS 2-0 ASTON VILLA (6-2 AGG): Unai Emery's side knew they needed a miracle to reach the Europa Conference League final, and that failed to materialise in Athens

Unai Emery suffered a Greek tragedy as his dreams of ending Aston Villa’s trophy drought died after losing 2-0to Olympiakos.

The Spaniard was looking to finally plonk some silverware in a barren cabinet at Villa Park but the Mount Olympus-sized mountain his club had to climb proved beyond his injury-hit side.

Chasing down a two-goal deficit from the first leg in Birmingham was always going to be a tough ask - only three teams had done so in European history - but for a team hunting a Champions League place, optimism remained.

But it was dashed inside ten minutes as Ayoub El Kaabi - their nemesis in the first leg who grabbed a treble - struck an early goal to leave them even further behind. His second, ten minutes from time sparked a red and white party in the stands.

And despite a spirited effort - Villa undoubtedly left it all out there on the pitch in Pireaus - it’s now 28 years and counting since Brian Little led his club to triumph in the League Cup.

Olympiakos themselves were looking to break a 53-year hoodoo for Greek clubs. Not since the 1971 European Cup final, when Ajax beat Panathinaikos have they landed any silverware.

And what will make it sweeter for the fans of the club, based in Piraeus, is the fact that the final is being played at the home of rivals AEK Athens. There has been chatter in the capital about whether it can be moved.

With a two-goal advantage to protect from the first leg, the approach from the hosts, led by one of Emery’s contemporaries - Jose Luis Mendilibar - would be key.

It quickly became clear that they would funnel back into a shape 30 yards from their own goal and look to hit Villa on the break. It was a tactic that worked well in the first leg.

And it took just ten minutes for it to do so again. Mendilibar cracked the code at Villa Park in the first leg. Emery’s team have prospered this year through playing a high line and challenging teams to break it.

Olympiakos managed it through Ayoub El Kaabi - who grabbed a hat-trick inside an hour - with some intelligent running and with their first real charge forward, scored.

It owed plenty to former Wolves man Daniel Podence. A crossfield pass had set the little winger on his way down the left. He made tracks and his first cross was blocked the ball was returned to him.

This time, left-back Quini charged to support and a disguised pass to his colleague allowed the defender to cross to the far post where El Kaabi forced it over the line.

A wave of euphoric relief swept around the stadium.

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Villa’s attacks became more frantic. As did the defending. A long-range Douglas Luiz effort was collected before Leon Bailey was taken out half-a-yard outside the area by Rodinen. Referee Felix Zwayer booked the defender but with Emery protesting furiously on the touchline, no further action was taken.

But while Villa continued to press for a route back into the game after the break, they failed to truly test Konstantinios Tzolakis in the hosts' goal. And with just over 10 minutes to go, all hope was gone when El Kaabi's effort - initially ruled out for offside - was given after a lengthy VAR check.

Emery, acknowledging their race was run, then brought on a host of the club's talented youngsters. Villa are now left to concentrate on securing the victory against Liverpool on Monday that they need to seal a Champions League spot.