The EPL outfit raced into a two goal lead against the Hoops at Villa Park before being pegged back
15:27, 11 Mar 2025
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery
Unai Emery has sounded the Celtic alarm bell to his Aston Villa troops in a timely Champions League reminder.
The Premier League outfit are bidding to reach the quarter-final of Europe's elite competition and are in a strong position to do so after picking up a 3-1 win on the road at Club Brugge in the first leg of their knockout round tie.
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An early goal from Leon Bailey was pegged back before an own goal and a Marco Asensio late penalty put Villa in a commanding position in the tie ahead of a big night under the lights at Villa Park.
Despite the two goal advantage in the tie, Emery has flagged up the league phase game with Brendan Rodgers and Celtic when his side raced into a 2-0 lead before being pegged back by Adam Idah's two minute double. They went on to win the game 4-2 on the night but that couple of minutes has served as a warning for the Spaniard - who boasts a top CV in European competition.
On how Villa have prepared for the Champions League return clash as they bid to reach the last eight, he said: "Nothing changes. We respect them a lot. We have our own experiences and myself. Anything could happen. Why? Because it is a 90 minute football match.
"The match can change so quickly. We won there but in the last minutes in two actions we had. The respect of them is massive.
"The result is for us to follow the same game plan. We are ready to compete. We are ready in case there is extra-time and penalties.
"We must separate each competition. The challenge we have in the Champions League is a huge challenge. To achieve something as a club and for the supporters. Something for history and for us as professionals.
"To achieve it, the challenge is to think that anything can happen. We have to follow the same idea as before. The result is 3-1 but they can score and we have experiences against Celtic, when we were winning 2-0 and in five minutes we were drawing.
"How we are going to face the season from now and until the end is really to try and get our best collectively and individually."
Adam Idah nets for Celtic in Champions League clash with Aston Villa
Adam Idah nets for Celtic in Champions League clash with Aston Villa
Should Villa get through they will face a last eight showdown with one of PSG or Liverpool. Arne Slot's men produced a smash and grab in Paris to take a 1-0 lead into the second leg at Anfield with that tie taking place later tonight.
Should both English teams get through it would throw up a battle of the Scotland stars with John McGinn the captain of Aston Villa and his international skipper Andy Robertson at Liverpool.
Villa are chasing Champions League football again next season domestically in what is shaping up to be an incredible race to the top table.
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They've also got the FA Cup to fight for and are in last eight action against Preston North End at the end of the month.