Aston Villa’s Conference League hopes in tatters after home defeat to Olympiacos

MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB: Santiago Hezze (centre) celebrates with his Olympiacos team-mates after scoring their fourth goal. Pic: Nick Potts/PA

Aston Villa’s hopes of reaching a first European final since 1982 are in tatters after losing 4-2 in the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final against Olympiacos.

Villa, playing their biggest occasion in Europe since winning the European Cup 42 years ago, suffered a Greek tragedy as they crumbled on home soil.