Shropshire Star

Douglas Luiz gives key message to Aston Villa team mates ahead of Olympiacos second leg

Douglas Luiz has urged Villa to stick together as they try to raise their game for Thursday’s European showdown with Olympiacos.

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Unai Emery’s team head to Greece for a Europa Conference League semi-final second leg off the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Brighton on Sunday.

Villa are trailing 4-2 from last week’s first leg and have gone three matches without winning for only the second time this season.

Midfielder Luiz has told his team-mates not to let their heads drop.

He said: “We just need to get our heads up after this because we are disappointed, I think we did good. But it’s football, we can lose too.

“And the most important thing is after we lose, we put our heads in the same direction and we go together.”

Joao Pedro headed home the rebound after Robin Olsen had saved his 87th minute penalty to condemn Villa to defeat, with Emery’s men missing the chance to seal Champions League qualification for next season.

“I think we had a good game, the first half we had control of the game,” said Luiz.

“In the second half, myself and Ginny can do a little bit better with and without the ball.

“But the game we played was good.

“I think Brighton is an amazing team, their build-up is so good.

“We can lose and we can win, what is important is to get our heads up and focus on the next games.”