Unai Emery marches onto pitch to decorate down Villa stars throughout Olympiakos defeat

On May 2, 2024

A furious Unai Emery berated his Aston Villa players on the pitch during their shock 4-2 defeat to Olympiakos.

Villa hosted the Greek giants on Thursday night in the first-leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final tie. But things quickly unravelled for the home side as they conceded two penalties to Ayoub El Kaabi in the first half.

Ollie Watkins managed to pull one back for the visitors on the stroke of half time before Moussa Diaby equalised moments after the interval. Yet Olympiakos hit back again with another El Kaabi penalty, before Santiago Hezze’s deflected strike sealed a famous victory at Villa Park.

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Emery, who has won four European cups, could not believe his eyes on the touchline. His side, having been favourites to reach the final, missed a late penalty courtesy of Douglas Luiz, leaving them with a monumental task in the second leg in Piraeus next week.

And the Spaniard’s frustrations were clear to see during a break in play after Villa had conceded their second. He furiously marched onto the pitch to deliver a dressing down to his players in a manner not seen since Phil Brown’s infamous Hull City team talk.

Aston Villa's Spanish head coach Unai Emery (C) speaks to his players during a break in play during the UEFA Europa Conference League semi final first leg football match between Aston Villa and Olympiakos at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England, on May 2, 2024. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) — Emery came onto the pitch after Villa conceded their second
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts towards the players after they concede a second goal during the UEFA Conference League semi-final, first leg match at Villa Park, Birmingham. Picture date: Thursday May 2, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Villa. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. — The Spaniard delivered a furious team talk
(Image: PA)

He gesticulated intensely in front of Luiz’s face and appeared to be seething as he addressed his players one by one. At one point, Emery stood with his legs wide apart with a manic facial expression while delivering his intense team talk.

The start of the second half was then delayed after a supporter suffered a cardiac arrest. The additional stoppage was only a brief one, with the incident seemingly starting just before or shortly into the half-time break.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MAY 2: Aston Villa manager Unai Emery gives instructions to his team during a pitch side team talk during the UEFA Europa Conference League 2023/24 Semi-Final first leg match between Aston Villa and Olympiacos FC at Villa Park on May 2, 2024 in Birmingham, England.(Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images) — He cut an animated figure
(Image: Offside via Getty Images)

Villa will turn their attention to Brighton away in the Premier League on Sunday. Victory at the Amex would all but seal Champions League qualification for the Villans.

However, they will still be desperate to turn things around in Greece in an effort to land their first major trophy since 1996, when they beat Leeds United 3-0 to win the League Cup.