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Aston Villa and Celtic meet in a crunch Champions League fixture with a top-eight finish potentially on the line on what promises to be a dramatic night of European football.
Unai Emery’s side start a busy night just outside of the placings that would secure direct progression to the last 16. Guaranteed at least a play-off place, the hosts can go for broke in search of a victory that may be enough to earn a spot – though they are reliant on those above them slipping up.
Celtic are only one point behind their final matchday opponents as they travel south, so could conceivably finish in the top eight, though will require a win and several other results to go their way.
A night of thrills and spills is surely in store as a controversial new format delivers the sort of entertaining, unpredictable finale that was promised.
Follow all of the latest from Villa Park in our live blog below:
GOAL! Aston Villa 2-0 Celtic (Morgan Rogers, 5 mins)
OH MY WORD! Appalling start for Celtic but sublime by Villa and Morgan Rogers.
Villa pinch the ball in Celtic territory, it’s played inside to Rogers and as he approaches the edge of the area he sends a dipping, arcing shot into the top corner beyond Schmeichel.
Maybe Scales should have got closer to him but it’s a spectacular finish by Rogers. 33 seconds after the restart, they’re now 2-0 up!
Luke Baker29 January 2025 20:07
GOAL! Aston Villa 1-0 Celtic (Morgan Rogers, 3 mins)
Wow – what a start for Villa! Warning signs indeed.
It starts with a neat Kamara ball over the top to Digne and the build-up is then patient from there. Gorgeous link-up between Tielemans and Ramsey sees the latter get to the by-line, he squares it and Morgan Rogers lashes home. Nice finish.
Luke Baker29 January 2025 20:04
Aston Villa 0-0 Celtic, 2 mins
Villa fly forward early on and get around the edge of the Celtic box before the defence stiffens and clears. Early warning signs for the Scots though
Luke Baker29 January 2025 20:04
KICK-OFF! Aston Villa 0-0 Celtic
And we’re off at Villa Park! Remember, Villa need to win and get a bit of help from elsewhere to nick a top-eight spot to go straight through to the last 16 and avoid the play-offs
Luke Baker29 January 2025 20:00
Aston Villa v Celtic
The teams are out on the pitch. The spine-tingling Champions League anthem rings out. Kick-off not far away now
Unai Emery coy on Aston Villa team selection
Emery not giving much away in his pre-match interview with TNT Sports
Luke Baker29 January 2025 19:53
Unai Emery won’t be focused on other results
Aston Villa’s chances of reaching the Champions League last 16 without the need for a play-off rest on them not only beating Celtic but get help from another result elsewhere.
However, Villa boss Unai Emery won’t be bothering to check in on how the other matches are going.
Luke Baker29 January 2025 19:45
Celtic secure Champions League knockout spot
Last time out in the Champions League, an own goal five minutes from time gave Celtic a 1-0 victory over Young Boys and took the Scottish side past the competition’s group stage for the first time in 12 years.
The ball rebounded into the net off the shin of Young Boys captain Loris Benito after Celtic substitute Adam Idah had an effort saved by goalkeeper Marvin Keller, ending a frustrating night for the Scottish side who missed a penalty and had two efforts ruled out for offside.
They are now guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs even though Daizen Maeda was sent off in the 89th minute for a frustrated kick out at an opponent.
Luke Baker29 January 2025 19:36
Aston Villa falter again after Champions League match
Aston Villa endured another Champions League hangover as they drew 1-1 with West Ham at the weekend
Jacob Ramsey’s early opener at Villa Park was cancelled out by Emerson Palmieri’s second-half header to leave Villa without a Premier League win after each of their last six European games.
This was a big chance missed to close the gap on the top four while more worrying was the sight of Tyrone Mings leaving the pitch in tears after suffering a first-half knee injury. It was just his 10th appearance back after missing 445 days with an ACL but he did emerge after the break to watch from the dugout, donning a smile and giving the crowd a thumbs up.
Villa had chances to kill the game in an early blitz of chances but Mings’ withdrawal changed the dynamic and in the end West Ham may consider themselves unlucky not to earn a first away win under Graham Potter.
Luke Baker29 January 2025 19:25
Aston Villa vs Celtic prediction and tips: Villa to teach Bhoys a lesson
Aston Villa and Celtic may both already be guaranteed a top-24 spot in the Champions League phase but there’s still plenty to play for in their clash this evening.
Villa are regarded as the favourites to win at 8/15, while you can get 5/1 on a Celtic win and 18/5 on a draw. But what other markets might provide interest?
Read our tipster Becky Ashton’s best bets ahead of the game tonight:
Luke Baker29 January 2025 19:16