Aston Villa

Charlotte Coates
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

It has been a tough week for Aston Villa after the loss to Olympiakos in the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final before being put to the sword by Brighton.

A win for Unai Emery's side would have put them one Tottenham loss away from their Champions League spot being confirmed, but Spurs now have a slight chance to turn the heat up.

After the tremendous win away at Arsenal two weeks ago, Villa have let a two goal lead slip against Chelsea and have come away from the south coast with nothing.

Emery's men have played a game more than Spurs and things could become closer than the Spaniard would have liked as Villa look to secure their play in Europe's elite competition for the first time since 1983.

One last push needed for Villa to cap off this magnificent season.

• Joao Pedro’s goal was his 20th of the season, making him the first player to score 20+ goals in a single season for Brighton across all competitions since Glenn Murray in 2016-17 (23).

• Brighton have beaten Aston Villa at home in the Premier League for the very first time, and for the first time at home across all competitions since December 1980, ending an eight-match winless run at home against the Villans (D4 L4) since a 1-0 win at the Goldstone Ground under Alan Mullery.

• Aston Villa had just two shots against Brighton, their fewest in a Premier League match since May 2016 vs Newcastle United (also 2). Only against Manchester United in August 2005 (1) have they had fewer on record in the competition (from 2003-04).

• Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi picked up his fifth booking of the season, with no manager in the Premier League receiving more cards this season than him (Mikel Arteta also with 5). Overall, De Zerbi has now picked up 11 cards in the league during his time at Brighton, with the Italian also receiving the most cards last season in the Premier League (6 – 4 yellow, 2 red).

• Pedro has now scored 9 Premier League goals for Brighton this season, with only Glenn Murray (13 in 2018-19, 12 in 2017-18), Alexis Mac Allister (10 in 2022-23) and Neal Maupay (10 in 2019-20) scoring more for the Seagulls in a single Premier League season.

Joao Pedro struck a late winner as Brighton put a dent in Aston Villa's Champions League hopes at the Amex Stadium.

The Brazilian headed home a rebound in the 87th minute after his penalty was saved by Robin Olsen.

Pascal Gross had an earlier effort for the hosts ruled out for offside by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), while Villa captain John McGinn was also judged to be inches ahead of the Brighton defence before scoring at the other end.

Unai Emery's fourth-placed side remain seven points clear of Tottenham, who have two games in hand and visit Liverpool on Sunday.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Brighton fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Aston Villa fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

There are three Premier League matches today, and we will keep you updated on all the action.

Follow live text coverage over here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for every Premier League game this season against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's matches, he takes on Kings of Leon drummer Nathan Followill.

Sutton's prediction: 1-3

Aston Villa have got fourth place and Champions League football in their grasp but they still have work to do to get over the line.

Unai Emery's side played the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final with Olympiakos on Thursday, so you think if Brighton could find a bit of energy, they might cause them some problems.

I don't see that happening, though. The Seagulls are missing their spark - for a long time now they not been the same team they were last season - and, as I've said before, the uncertainty over Roberto de Zerbi's future has hardly helped.

Nathan's prediction: 0-2

Read all of the predictions here

Here are the key facts and figures before Sunday's game between Brighton and Aston Villa in the Premier League.

• Brighton have lost their past five Premier League matches against Aston Villa by an aggregate score of 14-3. The Seagulls last suffered six defeats in a row against a side between 2019 and 2022 against Manchester United.

• Having won their past five against Brighton, Aston Villa are looking to register six consecutive Premier League wins against an opponent for the first time since between 2005 and 2010 against neighbours Birmingham City.

• Since Brighton began their maiden European campaign in this season's Europa League in September, they have won just seven of 29 Premier League matches (D11 L11). They would be 15th in a Premier League table in this time (since 21 September); they had started this season with four wins in their opening five league matches (L1) before their first Europa League match.

• Aston Villa have led by two or more goals in each of their past four Premier League games but have only gone on to win two of them - drawing 3-3 with Brentford and 2-2 with Chelsea last time out (2-0 v Arsenal and 3-1 v Bournemouth in the others).

• Having scored in a joint league-high 39 different Premier League games in 2023, Brighton have so far failed to find the net in more games than any other side in 2024 (eight).

• Ollie Watkins has scored six goals in his past four Premier League appearances against Brighton and scored a hat-trick in Villa's 6-1 win earlier this season. It is the most goals he has netted against an opponent in the competition.

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Brighton (14:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Emery confirmed some players have "small injuries" from Thursday's Europa Conference League by Olympiakos, but until Saturday it is "impossible to know" if they will be able to face Brighton. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez "could be available" for Sunday but he has to see if he is "comfortable and without risk".

• On the quick turnaround before Sunday's game: "Firstly we have to focus again on the Premier League quickly. After, we will analyse the game we played yesterday. We need to be quick to analyse with the players the match we will face on Sunday with data analysis, characteristics of the team, individual players. As well, we need to recover quick again and full energy for Sunday."

• Emery said his side must "adapt" to playing in Europe before "tough" Premier League matches: "We want to grow up in Europe, playing Europa League and Champions League. I like it. The players have to adapt to that situation playing more matches than normal and then try to take experiences and manage those competitions and try to be successful in both."

• On the importance of Sunday's match in Villa's pursuit of a top-four finish: "Our motivation of course is high because we are now fourth and it is a very important match to try to be closer to our first objective in the Premier League."

• Emery said of Brighton: "The respect for Roberto de Zerbi is high. He is an amazing coach, he was playing very good last year. This year they changed a lot some players and it is normal they need time again to get the same performances and be successful with their style. It is amazing how they play. I appreciate them a lot."

• When asked about the final weeks of the season, Emery said: "We are fighting with Tottenham for the Champions League. It is an amazing season if it finishes like that. We are growing up here as coaches, workers, players, supporters. We have to be demanding and trying to get stronger in everything. We have to create a strong mentality to keep for a long time."

Follow Friday's Premier League news conferences

Listen to commentary of Brighton v Aston Villa from 14:00 BST on Sunday on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

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Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague believes Aston Villa's Europa Conference League semi-final is "still alive" despite their 4-2 first-leg defeat by Olympiakos at Villa Park.

Villa dominated the game in terms of possession and shots, but find themselves needing to overturn a two-goal deficit when they travel to Greece on Thursday, 9 May.

"There is a parallel game where that penalty just before half-time is given to Aston Villa - I thought it was a penalty - and the penalty miss goes in and it is 4-4," Balague told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"There is not too much difference between the two teams. Olympiakos scored four goals from five shots on target - they did the things they needed to do very well, there is no doubt about it. That could happen in Greece for Aston Villa. I can see that they are not too far away.

"Unai Emery will have an easy time explaining this game. Olympiakos will not score four goals from five chances again. Villa are still alive, very much alive."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

A shock, but not a fluke.

Many in the Olympiakos squad were playing the most significant European game of their careers, yet they were the more assured team throughout - positive, organised and confident.

Their victory was unexpected but fully merited. After all, Jose Luis Mendilibar, a canny old fox in his first job outside Spain late in a long coaching career, had prepared his team impeccably.

Anyone can miss a penalty and Douglas Luiz should not be singled out for criticism, but in a way his penalty attempt summed up Villa's night. Staring through the net at the Holte End while the referee settled the jostling players, he appeared almost in a trance when the whistle blew. Holding the pause, he began the shuffling approach that has never before failed him this season, crept up to the ball and missed the target.

In the same way, throughout the game Villa often seemed to have lapsed on to autopilot, unable to react when their routines malfunctioned.

Could the occasion really have been too much for them? It was hard to believe that a team that has so often risen to challenges this season, and so recently faced down Arsenal, could be overwhelmed on such a big night.

At 2-0 down, Unai Emery used an injury stoppage to scream into the faces of his players, demanding they snap to it. In the second half, his face told first of relief, then anger and finally disbelief.

The travelling fans did not sound like they could believe it either. Villa would have wanted to have the tie mostly won before facing what will surely be the most intimidating atmosphere since Warsaw in September. Now they can expect it to be louder still.

Emery has a week to remind his players that the tie is not over yet, but perhaps not for the reasons we might all have been expecting.

• Listen to BBC Radio WM's Football Phone-In on Friday from 18:00 BST

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Aston Villa players got "caught up in the occasion" in their first leg semi-final defeat by Olympiakos, according to their former midfielder Ian Taylor.

Unai Emery's side lost 4-2 at home to the fourth-place Greek Super League team on a difficult night that also included a late missed penalty for Villa's Douglas Luiz.

The Premier League side now face an uphill battle to reach the final of the Europa Conference League when they travel to Georgios Karaiskakis Football Stadium next Thursday.

"It was a disappointing night," Taylor told BBC Radio 5 Live. "I think Unai Emery hit the nail on the head - we just didn't play well at all. Defensively we weren't great, I think we got caught up in the occasion.

"He didn't think we played at the right speed. He wanted to slow things down. It was breakneck most of the night. The atmosphere was unbelievable at Villa Park and I just think a lot of the players got caught up in the occasion.

"It's a shame, if Douglas Luiz puts that penalty in it's a different game going over there at 4-3. But Olympiakos is a difficult place to go. To have to get two goals back is a difficult task, but it has been done before."

Villa are fourth in the Premier League and will have to pick themselves up when they travel to Brighton on Sunday as they continue their push for a Champions league place next season.

"It's looking good [for the Champions League] but it isn't over yet," added Taylor.

"Emery has been an absolute magician. He's been fantastic for the club with virtually the same players. It's been an amazing turnaround.

"If we can just get through these last few games and get Champions League football, it's what we have been after all season."

We asked for your thoughts on Thursday's Europa Conference League match between Aston Villa and Olympiakos.

Here are some of your answers:

Dave: We're definitely running on empty now. The ideas are there and Emery is trying his best to keep shape, but back-to-back games and an ever-increasing catalogue of injuries is taking its toll. I don't see us getting back into this tie but I'm still incredibly proud of this team. A European semi and seven points clear of fifth in May? I'll take that. Up the Villa!

Jason: Luiz had the game of his nightmares. It can’t detract from the amazing season he’s had though. I don’t like [John] McGinn as a six. Play Tim [Iroegbunam] in the second leg and get McGinn higher up the pitch. I had a bad feeling after the VAR overturn of the first goal. But it’s the hope that kills you. I think we still have a glimmer of a chance. A small glimmer.

Ivy: The referee was atrocious but so were we. Can’t fault the goals they scored, first was onside and their penalty was a penalty. Luiz should have been taken off at half-time - probably the worst game he’s ever had in a Villa shirt. Our disallowed goal should have been given and we should have had another penalty but we go again in Athens!! I have faith!

Neil: It wasn't our night. We were poor defensively but deserved more than the two goals we scored. We missed the authority of [Emi] Martinez at the back and [Clement] Lenglet looked short of match confidence. It's only half-time, and with Villa this season anything seems possible, but the advantage is very much with Olympiakos.

Mossy: Olympiakos got at us early and never let us settle. Poor control and sloppy passing has cost us dearly in last few games, but to come back from 2-0 down was brilliant and we looked like we could win it. Then, a stupid penalty and a lucky deflection blew us away, but there is no excuse to miss the target with our penalty to get back in it again. Frustrating

Aston Villa and Brazil centre-back Diego Carlos, 31, is one of AC Milan's top transfer targets. (Teamtalk), external

Villa want to sign Leicester and Nigeria forward Kelechi Iheanacho, 27, as a back-up striker for England international Ollie Watkins, 28. (Football Insider), external

Celtic are among the teams keeping tabs on Aston Villa and Finland goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo, 22, who has spent the past season on loan at Exeter City. (Sun), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Image source, Reuters

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery spoke to TNT Sports following Thursday's 4-2 defeat by Olympiakos in their Europa Conference League semi-final first leg:

"Congratulations to them. We didn't play like we are playing. We need to keep being consistent.

"They deserved to win. They are a good team. They have experience.

"It's not about luck. We didn't play well. We have to play better. They deserved to win."

On his message to his players: "Prepare for the match next Thursday. Try to play better, compete better."

Image source, Reuters

Aston Villa captain John McGinn spoke to TNT Sports following Thursday's 4-2 defeat by Olympiakos in their Europa Conference League semi-final first leg:

"Not the game we wanted. We wanted a lot more control. We started the game well. They're a good side. We wanted a victory going to Greece. We showed we're capable of coming back.

"Mistakes all round tonight. We'll take responsibility but it's up to us to go to Athens and turn it around because we're capable. They played very well tactically. They played the way we expected so there were no surprises.

"Everything that could have gone wrong tonight did. The manager was still positive in there. There's still a long way to go. We need to play a lot better than we did tonight but we're more than capable of doing it.

"Hopefully we'll have a few players back. The onus is on us to attack Olympiakos and score some goals. We have a mountain to climb but we know we're capable."

Aston Villa's hopes of reaching the Europa Conference League final were severely hit by a chaotic semi-final first-leg defeat by Olympiakos.

Ayoub El Kaabi scored a hat-trick, with two of his goals coming in the opening 30 minutes as the Greek side stunned the home fans at Villa Park to take a 2-0 lead.

Ollie Watkins reduced the deficit for Unai Emery's side on the stroke of half-time before Moussa Diaby equalised moments after the interval.

Olympiakos then roared back in front through El Kaabi's penalty, completing his treble, and a deflected strike from Santiago Hezze.

Douglas Luiz missed a late penalty which means Villa must overturn a two-goal margin in the second leg on 9 May to reach their first European final since 1982.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

What did you make of the match, Villa fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

The team news for Aston Villa's Europa Conference League semi-final first leg is in, with less than an hour to go until kick-off at Villa Park.

Follow all the build-up and live text updates of the match here

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

"We've gone through absolute hell. To be where we are now - it's like living a dream."

Aston Villa face Olympiakos in their first European semi-final since 1982 and fan Becky Fielding has said she could never imagine being where they are.

"I never ever thought we'd be there - but, my God, what a manager we've got," she said on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"He [Unai Emery] has completely turned this Aston Villa squad round and he's still got quite a lot of the players we had before."

Emery took over at Villa in November 2022 when the club were in 16th place. They are now fourth in the table and Becky says the rise is due to the massive impact the Spaniard has had on the players.

"Look at Ollie Watkins - he's the third top goalscorer. Two seasons ago, I didn't rate him at all. He wasn't putting goals in the net. He wasn't any good.

"All of a sudden he's like a whirlwind."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds from 22'15

Full commentary of Aston Villa v Olympiakos on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds from 20:00 BST

For Aston Villa it is just about the game in front of them against Olympiakos and Unai Emery knows this tournament and European competitions well.

They have Brighton after that in the Premier League and they have not been in good form lately, so he just needs to carry on approaching it as is.

Take the home game in the semi-finals of the Europa Conference league first and then go deal with Brighton at the weekend. That is all they can do. Take the one in front of you, knock it off and do the best you can.

It is difficult to know whether they will prioritise one competition or the other, because a trophy in Europe would be amazing for the supporters and everyone. But if they get top four, I think that would put them in a stronger position.

They have got to go for it, but it is very nervy.

However, I did hear from a supporter recently that they do not believe they are ready for that Champions League spot yet. It is interesting to hear their thoughts and questioning whether they are strong enough to go into Europe's top competition.

With Emery as manager and the experience they have, I feel they are in a position to say 'why not' and go for it if they do make the Champions League next season.

I also see them having a good opportunity to go and reach the Conference League final with the players they have got playing really well at the moment in key positions.

You have to say they have a good chance, and why not?

Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson