Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has revealed that he will rest no players in the Villans’ last two Champions League games before the playoffs.
With Celtic facing Villa in the final league-stage game of the new Champions League format at Villa Park on January 29th, Hoops supporters were hopeful that Emery’s side would rest players, with a top 8 position in the Premier League likely secured by that time.
However, after a defeat, a draw, and a win in their last three games, following a perfect start, Emery remained defiant about his motivation to win their final two league-stage matches.
He said: (Beanyman Sports),”We were, at the beginning, more or less, trying to be protagonists, but now we achieve it to be in the top 24.
“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.”
Scotland Players Callum McGregor and John McGinn
Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
Villa seemed to be flying after three games played, with three wins from three, scoring 6 goals and conceding 0.
However, their Champions League campaign has dipped slightly, meaning they will likely play a full-strength side on January 29th.
The hope for Celtic supporters would have been that the Hoops could go into the final group game against a reserve Villa side.
However, after Emery’s comments, this clearly won’t be the case, meaning Brendan Rodgers’ side will have to be at their best against one of the English Premier League’s top sides, who, on their day, have proven to be a match for the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal over the last year.
With Villa traveling to face Monaco 8 days before they play Celtic, the Hoops will be in action against an out-of-form Young Boys side at Celtic Park on January 22nd.
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