Aston Villa Conference League Odds: 4/1 after first-leg loss

European football returned to our screens on Thursday evening with the Europa League and Europa Conference League semi-final stages getting underway.

To the surprise of many, Aston Villa headed into the latest set of fixtures as the only English side remaining in Europe this term.

Aston Villa took on Greek outfit Olympiakos at Villa Park in the first of two Conference League semi-final legs on Thursday evening and were clear favourites before kick-off.

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Aston Villa vs Olympiakos

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is a European competition specialist, dominating the Europa League over the past decade with Sevilla and Villarreal. As a result, Aston Villa, who are set to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League this season, were expected to see off Olympiakos with relative ease.

However, to the surprise of many, the Midlands outfit found themselves 2-0 down on home soil after just 29 minutes thanks to a brace from Ayoub El Kaabi. Ollie Watkins pulled one back for Villa in first-half injury time before Moussa Diaby levelled things up seven minutes into the second half.

But just when it looked as though Villa were back in the tie, Ayoub El Kaabi scored his third of the day in the 56th minute, with Santiago Hezze making it 4-2 to the away outfit 11 minutes later.

Aston Villa now face a major uphill battle to progress past the semi-final stage heading into the second leg in Greece on May 9.

Aston Villa Europa Conference League Odds

Ahead of the semi-final action getting underway on May 2, Aston Villa were the bookies’ favourite to win the Europa Conference League this term.

They were expected to see off Olympiakso with relative ease and then beat Fiorentina or Club Brugge in the competition’s showpiece on May 29.

However, Aston Villa are now the 3rd-favourites to go on and lift the trophy later this month. Meanwhile, Serie A outfit Fiorentina, who beat Club Brugge 3-2 in their first semi-final meeting on Thursday, are the new favourites to win the Conference League. Elsewhere, Olympiakso are 2nd favourite and Club Brugge are heavy underdogs following their defeat this week.

Europa Conference League Winner: Current Odds

Fiorentina - 11/8
Olympiakos - 15/8
Aston Villa - 4/1
Club Brugge - 13/2

Today’s Football Tips

There is no European action this evening, but there is a key Premier League fixture taking place. Luton Town face off with Everton as the Hatters’ battle for survival continues.

Everton travel away from home to take on Luton Town, and we’ve got it covered with our bet builder of the day article, while for those of you looking to place an acca, we have our acca of the day lined up and ready to go.