"I am the main taker and I know it is my responsibility.”

The one who takes is the only one who can miss.

"If we have another penalty, I will take it. I am mentally strong for that.

"We are confident and believe we can win this game.

“This is a huge game for Aston Villa as a club.

"This season has been great for us and we have played really good football. I am really grateful for everything Villa has done for me and I want to try my best to bring them to the final."

Douglas Luiz, pre-match.


"Believe it or not we actually started the game very well. The first half was a really good performance by us, but over the two legs [it is] very, very disappointing obviously.

"We went into this competition as favourites and we handle that throughout the competition. I think it has been a big learning curve for us. It's not been a smooth journey, we got to the semi-final and were down to the bare bones a wee bit. However, those of us that were out there across the two legs lost to the better team and the scoreline shows that.

“The manager drills into us that it is a no excuse environment. Listen, you want everyone available, you want your best players there. When you are in the trenches, someone you can turn to in order to change the game or do something different.

"Tonight I think the game plan was perfect in the first half. We've got to be really proud of how we played. The goal was extremely disappointing. The tie was unfortunately lost in the first leg - we didn't control the game or manage it well enough, the performance was poor.

"For us going into more European competition next season we need to learn how to manage moments a lot better. Of course we wanted to do better this year and get to a European final but we will do everything we can to get ourselves back into this position and get to a final."

John McGinn, post match.


"We got to be in Europe at the end of last season and this year we enjoyed it, but to win is very difficult and we are in the process [of developing].

"They [Olympiakos] deserve to be in the final. We lost it in the first 90 minutes at home and we were not competitive. We started this first half well, they scored but we controlled the game, but we were not clinical.

"This is an experience for us at Aston Villa after a long time [of not being in Europe] and again we are going to compete in Europe next year.

"Of course we are a little bit disappointed, a little bit frustrated but we have to move on quick. We started the first leg and maybe we were favourites but after the first leg we weren't.

"We have to try to finish the season and for it to be very amazing [by qualifying for the Champions League].

“Firstly, get back to Birmingham. Then tomorrow rest and Saturday we focus on the match on Sunday against Liverpool.

"We are motivated and excited for it. Yes, today we are disappointed but only one team can win, so for us to continue with the frustration doesn't make sense.

"My message is clear. Move on and we have to try and finish the season doing an amazing season, particularly if we manage to achieve the last objective. Even without it [Champions League] we are in Europe in the Europa League.

"We will go over what we have done in the last two legs against Olympiakos and try to learn and take positives from it, take the information from it. Take the experience. Recover, reset and move on."

Unai Emery, post match.


"It won't take it away, but tonight our instant reaction is to be gutted. We all wanted to be back here [in Greece] playing the final but Olympiakos gave it everything, played out of their skin in both legs and overall the scoreline proves that they were the better team.

"We'll reflect, there's a lot of things we could have done better, but over the course of the season there's a lot of things to be proud of.

"We need to apologise to the supporters who travelled. We so badly wanted to win a trophy for them, we all wanted it so badly. We need a big push in the final two games to get us over the line for the Champions League which would be an astronomical achievement.

"Tonight the feeling is that it's an opportunity missed but congratulations to Olympiakos and we wish them all the best in the final."

John McGinn, post match.