Robin Olsen fails on biggest night in Aston Villa defeat v Olympiacos
Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen failed his big audition in their 4-2 loss to Olympiacos in the UEFA Conference League, despite beginning the game with a “magnificent save”.
Former Villa defender Stephen Warnock had high praise for their stand-in goalkeeper after he kept out Vicente Iborra’s early offside effort, but the Swede was then hit for a hat-trick by visiting striker Ayoub El Kaabi.
It was a night to forget for the Swedish international, who failed his big audition to try and fill the gloves of the injured and suspended Emi Martinez.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live (2 May, 8:05pm), Warnock said in the fifth minute: “What a magnificent save from Robin Olsen.
“It was going to nestle into the top corner – Villa under pressure.”
Olsen all at sea as Aston Villa suffer semi-final defeat
Aston Villa were under pressure right from the off against Olympiacos, and Olsen’s early save to deny Iborra was the only time he proved able to prevent the visitors capitalising on one of their big chances.
His SofaScore rating at full-time read a grim 6.0, having shipped four goals – two in each half – at a shocking rate of -2.04 goals prevented.
That suggests he could have kept out at least two of Olympiacos’ four strikes, and had he been able to do so, Villa might be heading into the second leg level at 2-2.
While completing 93% of his passes, the majority of these were short, with one clearance to hack the ball away from danger and five of his eight attempted long balls finding a target.
As if his goals-prevented rating of -2.10 wasn’t bad enough, Olsen finished the game with a 20% shot-to-save rate, with Villa sorely missing the commanding ability of suspended first-choice Emiliano Martinez between the sticks.
With Martinez able to return in the second leg – if he’s able to overcome an injury picked up against Chelsea in the Premier League – there’ll be few in claret and blue who won’t be delighted to welcome him back.
In other Aston Villa news, Emery made an error by axing this 82% star from his starting lineup against Olympiacos.
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