Aston Villa seeking a top eight finish in the Champions League – Aston Villa vs Celtic PREVIEW

Aston Villa are looking to bounce back in the Champions League as they aim to qualify for the Round of 16 with a win against Celtic.

Unai Emery’s side lost 1-0 last week against Monaco and missed out on a guaranteed top eight finish. However, if they beat Celtic tonight at Villa Park, they should progress automatically to the next round.

Villa are currently ninth with 13 points, whilst Celtic are 18th with 12 points.

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The Villains have not won in any of their last three matches whilst Celtic are unbeaten in their last six. However, the home side remain favourites to win with Opta’s Supercomputer giving them a 60% chance of victory.

Celtic have enjoyed a successful Champions League campaign so far, losing just one of their seven games, but manager Brendan Rogers wants his side to go a little bit further. He said: “It’s a great achievement but our job isn’t complete yet.”

Form is not on the Hoops’ side though; they have won just one of their last 21 away games in the Champions League.

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Emery praised Rogers, who has won in nine of his 19 career meetings with Aston Villa. Emery said: “Brendan is a fantastic coach. His teams are always difficult to beat.”

Rogers will be reuniting with former Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans, who starts in midfield for the home side.

Tyrone Mings was a doubt before kick-off and has been replaced in the starting line-up by Lamare Bogarde. Celtic are without Cameron Carter-Vickers and Daizen Maeda.

Written by Isabelle Newnham