The Piraeus hills overlooking Olympiacos’s Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium are steep and imposing. As Aston Villa’s players arrived attempting to overturn a two-goal first-leg deficit and reach the Europa Conference League final, they were a physical representation of the mountain they had to climb.

As it turned out, Villa were halted 10 minutes into their ascent.

Ayoub El Kaabi had scored his fourth of five goals across two legs and the damage was done. Villa had been the favourites to win the competition, but were ultimately knocked out by an aggregate 6-2 defeat.

Earlier in the week, a steady trickle of flights had brought together an allocation of 1,600 supporters, all hoping, with varying depths of belief, that Villa could scale new heights in Greece and overturn the initial two-goal deficit. 

Kick-off was not until 10pm local time, meaning those who had travelled had time to kill and many fans populated the bars a stone’s throw from the Acropolis, with coaches to take them to Piraeus — 14 kilometres south — at 6pm.

As the beer flowed and the match drew closer, belief grew that if any Villa side could overcome a challenge, it would be Unai Emery’s.

Down the bottleneck road to the main entrance, motorbikes weaved in and out of cars. Riot police with guns, shields and batons stood on either side, with press members having to walk through the middle to show identification. Police vans were lined up, isolating Olympiacos’ ‘Gate Seven’ section — where the ultras converge — from the rest of the stadium.

Gate Seven ultras have a history of invading the pitch, stopping games and chasing officials and players to the changing rooms. Local journalists placed red and white scarves around their necks, a seeming pre-requisite, and stood up. Once inside, there were shouts of ‘Olympiacos!’ back and forth between the stands behind each goal, arms outstretched and fist pumps accompanying every syllable.

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Villa players headed for the furthest corner flag to warm up. Next to the ultras, the scale of the task dawned. Whistles were piercing and deafening. Ezri Konsa and Diego Carlos, between stretches, stopped and stared at Gate Seven as if they were attempting to adjust to the din.

Villa’s outfield substitutes had an average age of 20 years and four months, so the emphasis centred on a fast opening from Emery’s starters.

Villa began well. There were ferocious whistles every time they had possession, but in Emery’s newly-configured 3-4-2-1 setup, players held width, with better passing lanes helping them to break out of Olympiacos’s press.

The contrast in cutting edge remained stark, however. Villa had 75 per cent possession overall but El Kaabi routinely conjured the telling touches. Ten minutes in and now three goals down on aggregate, the mountain became steeper.

“Believe it or not we started the game very well,” said John McGinn. “The first half was a really good performance by us. I think the game plan was perfect in the first half. The goal was extremely disappointing.”

Leon Bailey was thwacked and thumped, as has been the case over the past month, but managed to cross for Matty Cash at the back post. Cash could not reach the ball but such was his desperation he ended up face-planting the turf, adding to the sense this was not going to be Villa’s night.

Good intentions gradually turned to frustration. Bailey and Douglas Luiz scowled and shouted before half-time.

The game was up at 5-2 down, yet Villa supporters could be heard. “Watching Villa on a Thursday night, what a feeling, what a night,” echoed.

Appreciation was evident. Villa have made significant strides this season but here, in a European semi-final, they were reminded there is still plenty more ground to tread. 

The second half was death by a thousand cuts. Belief seeped away and players’ body language turned inward. While in possession, Pau Torres waved his arms at Cash for not making a forward run. Douglas Luiz slapped his head after a misplaced pass and substitute Jhon Duran led the recriminations every time the ball went out for a goal kick.

El Kaabi scored the second and Emery conceded. Three academy graduates were introduced as Olympiacos prepared themselves for a party that would go on until just after 4am.

Aston Villa were met by a wall of noise in Greece (Alex Caparros – UEFA via Getty Images)

Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis held court with reporters at full time as Emery left his press conference gracious in defeat. He offered his congratulations to his counterpart Jose Luis Mendilibar and headed for the team coach.

Despite Emery’s no-excuse mentality, deep down, he must have known this was a step beyond his players.

“Going into more European competitions next season, we need to learn how to manage moments a lot better,” said McGinn, a nod to Villa being on track for Champions League qualification. A renewal of personnel may well be required this summer to ensure they are ready for the tests that lie ahead.

“We must be better prepared for the last step,” Emery said. “No doubt we will do it. Don’t stop believing. No time to waste.”

(Top photo: Zac Goodwin/PA Images via Getty Images)