Aston Villa vs Celtic LIVE: Result and reaction as Villa sneak straight into last 16 with thrilling win

Aston Villa 4-2 Celtic: Morgan Rogers grabbed a hat-trick in match of huge drama that sent Villa straight through

Emery won't be keeping an eye on other results in Villa's quest for top eight

Morgan Rogers scored hat-trick and Ollie Watkins opened his Champions League account as Aston Villa beat Celtic 4-2 in a breathtaking game to seal their last-16 spot.

Rogers gave Villa a barnstorming start by scoring twice inside the opening five minutes, first steering in from close range and then planting a sublime dipping shot past Celtic keeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Scottish league leaders Celtic, who like Villa were already assured of at least a play-off place, stormed back before half-time as Adam Idah stunned the hosts with a quick-fire double.

Watkins restored Villa's lead after a flowing move on the hour but comically scooped a penalty horribly over the crossbar to ensure a nervous finale at Villa Park.

However, Rogers wrapped it up in a stoppage time to complete his hat-trick, while Celtic will prepare for a blockbuster play-off clash with either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid. Follow reaction from Villa Park in our live blog below:

Aston Villa vs Celtic LIVE

• Aston Villa beat Celtic 4-2 in enthralling Champions League contest
• Morgan Rogers scores a hat-trick and Villa secure direct progression to the last 16 in eighth spot
• 90+1' - GOAL! Rogers completes his hat-trick at the death (AVL 4-2 CEL)
• 66' - MISSED PENALTY! Watkins with a comical miss as he slips before taking and balloons the ball over (AVL 3-2 CEL)
• 60' - GOAL! Watkins finishes lovely counter-attacking move (AVL 3-2 CEL)
• 38' - GOAL! Idah finishes from close range again after Yang cross (AVL 2-2 CEL)
• 36' - GOAL! Idah stretches to acrobatically finish from six yards out (AVL 2-1 CEL)
• 25' - POST! Ramsey strikes the woodwork from eight yards (AVL 2-0 CEL)
• 5' - GOAL! Rogers adds second with spectacular finish from outside the box (AVL 2-0 CEL)
• 3' - GOAL! Rogers finishes well after neat build-up from Tielemans and Ramsey (AVL 1-0 CEL)

[29 January 2025 21:11 · Luke Baker]

Aston Villa 2-2 Celtic, 48 mins

A twisting and turning run from Bailey ends with him being chopped down by Hatate but the Japanese star avoid a yellow card. A bit lucky perhaps

[29 January 2025 21:06 · Luke Baker]

KICK-OFF! Aston Villa 2-2 Celtic

Back underway in Birmingham. If the second half is anywhere near as good as the first half. we’re in for a treat.

Villa are currently down to 13th in the Champions League table but one goal could change everything for them

[29 January 2025 20:49 · Luke Baker]

HALF-TIME! Aston Villa 2-2 Celtic

A half-chance for Villa as they win a corner and the ball falls to Konsa int he box but his shot flashes wide. And that’s half-time!

What a half of football! Morgan Rogers had Villa in complete control at 2-0 up inside five minutes before they also hit the post and had a shot cleared off the line.

But then a quickfire Celtic response as Adam Idah scored twice in three minutes towards the end of the half has levelled things up. Who knows what the second 45 will bring?

(David Davies/PA Wire)

(Nick Potts/PA Wire)

[29 January 2025 20:46 · Luke Baker]

Aston Villa 2-2 Celtic, 45 mins

Three minutes added time at the end of the half. I think we all need half-time to catch our collective breath!

[29 January 2025 20:43 · Luke Baker]

Aston Villa 2-2 Celtic, 42 mins

Wow! What a turnaround here. Fair play to Celtic, brilliant comeback. How much did Matty Cash’s injury affect Villa? They’ve not been the same team since he’s gone off.

Scales leaves one in on McGinn to give away a free-kick.

[29 January 2025 20:40 · Luke Baker]

GOAL! Aston Villa 2-2 Celtic (Adam Idah, 38 mins)

OH MY WORD! Out of nowhere, it’s suddenly 2-2. It’s Adam Idah again. What a half of football!

A glorious backheel from Engels takes two defenders out of the game, frees Yang on the right and he fizzes a ball across the box where Idah is on the spot six yards out to turn the ball into the net. Good No 9 play from the ex-Norwich man!

(Action Images via Reuters)

[29 January 2025 20:39 · Luke Baker]

GOAL! Aston Villa 2-1 Celtic (Adam Idah, 36 mins)

Yes they can make the breakthrough! Bailey loses concentration and Taylor is free down the left.

His low cross deflects off a sliding John McGinn and, from six yards out, Adam Idah acrobatically stretches and pokes the ball into the net. That was good flexibility from Idah, who hadn’t scored for 12 games before this - that will do him the world of good as he tries to replace Kyogo Furuhashi.

[29 January 2025 20:36 · Luke Baker]

Aston Villa 2-0 Celtic, 34 mins

Aston Villa have been too good so far and could easily be more than 2-0 ahead.

Celtic showing flashes and they’re having some joy down the right but can they get a breakthrough?

(REUTERS)

[29 January 2025 20:34 · Luke Baker]

OFF THE LINE! Aston Villa 2-0 Celtic, 32 mins

Watkins has to score! Villa break in numbers, Ramsey plays it inside to Bailey, he helps it on to Watkins who takes a touch and slots the ball past Schmeichel but Celtic right-back Johnston slides to clear the ball off the line.

Brilliant defending but Watkins should never have given him the opportunity to clear it.

[29 January 2025 20:33 · Luke Baker]

Aston Villa 2-0 Celtic, 30 mins

McGinn takes the captain’s armband as he comes on. He’s had a hamstring injury himself recently and is only just back fit.

It looks like he’ll go into midfield, Kamara will move from CM to centre-back and Bogarde will switch to right-back. Sub-optimal set-up but needs must