Two more matches remain for Celtic in the Champions League.
On Tuesday night, Celtic recorded a bore draw against Dinamo Zagreb to leave themselves within distance of securing a Champions League play-off spot.
When the draw was made for the revamped Champions League format in August, there was one game, in particular, that stood out for the champions of Scotland.
Celtic’s all-British clash against Aston Villa spoke for itself, it had many great subplots to it and it will be the first meeting between the two historic clubs ever on January 29.
Of course, there is the obvious backstory of Villa captain John McGinn playing against his boyhood club, but a tough test awaits Brendan Rodgers at Villa Park.
By the time that game comes about Celtic would have played Young Boys and Rodgers will be hoping his side won’t need to go to the Midlands to get anything from the game after Unai Emery’s latest comments.
Leicester City Manager Brendan Rodgers and Aston Villa Manager Unai Emery ahead of the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Leicester City ...
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Unai Emery says Aston Villa’s Champions League target has changed ahead of Celtic clash
Villa beat RB Leipzig 3-2 in Germany on Tuesday night to move into the top-eight places of the Champions League, as they now have a realistic chance of automatic progression to the last 16.
Emery stated that his team’s target in Europe have changed and they are now pushing for the top eight and how his side will be ‘motivated’ for that Celtic match, as posted by BeanymanSports.
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So, if the Bhoys felt that the Premier League outfit might take their foot off the gas for the final game week, then they better think again.
“We were, at the beginning, more or less, trying to be protagonists, but now we achieve it to be in the top 24,” said Emery. “Maybe we achieve it to be in the top 16. Maybe we can have the chances to be in the top eight.
“We are going to play two matches. Monaco and Celtic. And, of course, we are going to be motivated and our target is now higher than we had when we started this competition.”
Danny Murphy on ‘phenomenal’ Villa and Celtic clash
Whilst Celtic have improved on the road in Europe this term, the fact of the matter is that they are still waiting for that all-important win, and what a time to do it than at Villa Park.
Imagine the scenes with the Celtic faithful if that happens!
Danny Murphy thinks it will be a ‘phenomenal’ game, but he makes Villa ‘strong’ favourites for the match, as he told talkSPORT (11/12/24 at 10:40 am).
“It’s good to change your expectations, those two last games have now become huge for the club,” said Murphy.
“The Celtic home game is a phenomenal game for everyone. What an atmosphere that will be. You will make Villa strong favourites. Celtic haven’t won away in Europe in the Champions League, in what seven years? So, you would expect Villa to win that one.”
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