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 17:26 · Luke Baker]

Early Celtic team news

Daizen Maeda is suspended for Celtic after his dismissal against Young Boys last week.

Jota has returned to Glasgow with Kyogo Furuhashi going the other way to Rennes, but is ineligible.

Predicted Celtic XI: Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor; Bernardo, McGregor, Hatate; Engels, Idah, Kuhn

[29 January 2025 17:17 · Luke Baker]

Early Aston Villa team news

Unai Emery has played down fears of a long-term injury to Tyrone Mings after the defender was forced off against West Ham, though it may be that the centre-half misses out here.

Lucas Digne may have to deputise again with Pau Torres sidelined and Diego Carlos no longer at the club.

Predicted Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Digne, Maatsen; Kamara, Onana; Rogers, Tielemans, Ramsey; Watkins

[29 January 2025 17:09 · Luke Baker]

How to watch Aston Villa vs Celtic

The match is due to kick-off at 8pm GMT on Wednesday 29 January at Villa Park.

In the UK, the match will be shown live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 7pm. Subscribers can also watch online via discovery+.

[29 January 2025 17:00 · Luke Baker]

Everything you need to know about Aston Villa v Celtic

Aston Villa take on Celtic at Villa Park in the final round of fixtures in the Champions League’s initial league phase, with an automatic qualification place potentially on the line.

Unai Emery’s side sit in ninth at the start of the day and just one point behind Bayer Leverkusen, who occupy the final automatic qualification spot.

A win for the hosts could easily take them into the top eight, though their progress will depend on other results.

Brendan Rodgers’s visitors have a near-unassailable lead in the Scottish Premiership, but they find themselves in 18th in the European table.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

[29 January 2025 11:41 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Aston Villa vs Celtic LIVE

It’s judgement day for the Champions League teams with a hectic night of league phase action in store. Eight spots in the last-16 are up for grabs, with the rest left to squabble over play-off places or risk missing out on the knockout rounds. Aston Villa and Celtic are both, in theory at least, eyeing top eight finishes - kick off is at 8pm GMT.