BASQUET CASE UNAI

Emery's undone by one of his own

- NEIL MOXLEY

UNAI EMERY was knocked off his Euro perch - by a boy from his own backyard.

The Aston Villa boss has built up a lofty reputation following his success with Sevilla and Villarreal.

But he met his match last night as Olympiakos chief Jose Luis Mendilibar a fellow Basque - masterminded a stunning triumph over the Premier League high-fliers.

Emery's managerial rival has built up a reputation as a fire-fighter but last night he was intent on starting one as, with the help of hat-trick hero Ayoub El Kaabi, he put the brakes on Villa's march in the Europa Conference League. It was, however, some game.

And if this kind of open encounter is repeated next week, it would take a brave man to rule out Emery's side.

But on this occasion, they met an Olympiakos side - also owned by Forest's Evangelos Marinakis - who were prepared to trade blows with them.

If either side was nervous, it didn't show. There was a decent effort inside the opening 120 seconds as play swung from end to end.