Aston Villa secured automatic qualifications for the Champions League 16 tour tonight-and through a circular route after Celtic’s repulsive return to secure a 4-2 victory in Villa Park.
Morgan Rogers was the hero with a hat-trick with the other goal coming from Ollie Watkins, the issue of a reported offer of £ 60m from Arsenal earlier on the day.
Watkins also broke a sentence, but it didn’t matter, as Villa leaned home and then had to wait nervously to confirm Atalanta’s 2-2 draw in Barcelona before the festivities began.
Niki saw Villa moving to the top eight of the new league phase along with Lille with AC Milan and Atalanta slipping into the playoffs.
A top eight finish means we will see you in the Champions League 16 round, Villans 💜 pic.twitter.com/vetwbduopp
– Aston Villa (@avfcofficial) January 29 2025
Celtic ended in 21st place, but were brave in defeat, hitting the concession twice to Rogers in the opening five minutes thanks to a quick fire Idah Brace fire before halftime.
Villa comes to fly out of traps
One night with a high drama began almost from the first kick with the villa installed any pre-aga nerves in a five-minute blister.
Just under three minutes they had passed when youi Tielemans slipped to Jacob Ramsey under his left and his cross was perfect for Rogers to shoot Kasper Schmeichel.
Celtic was all at sea and Villa took full advantage of their score from their next attack.
Watkins took Rogers and the 20 -meter shot threw beyond Schmeichel’s stretched arm and in the upper right corner.
It’s Rogers again! 🔥
A divine beginning for Morgan Rogers who delivers two goals in just four minutes 👏
📺 @tntsports & @DiscoveryPlusuk pic.twitter.com/akwjxhaanw
– Football at TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 29 2025
The goalkeeper will probably feel that he could do better and the frustration of Brendan Rodgers would only grow when Reo Hatate fell into a poor ball from Lucas Digne, but could only place a plum shot straight at EMI Martinez.
It was a rare forward invasion for Celtic and Villa soon recovered the upper hand with Ramsey coming in in inches from doing it 3-0 with a narrow-range plan that returned from the post before hitting Schmeichel and flashing simply wide.
An injury to Matty Cash, replaced by John McGinn, did not slightly pull Villa’s momentum, at least initially, with Watkins seeing a shot cleaned by Alistair Johnston in the 32nd minute after he had cleared the ball over him Schmeichel.
Celtic hit back
It was to prove a central moment as in six minutes, Celtic had drawn a level.
Their first goal came to do the fine work by Greg Taylor under the left with his cross diverted by Boyhood Celtic Fan McGinn on the Ainah path and showed great flexibility in volleyball at home with his right foot.
After being by far the best side, the villa was shaking and admitting again a little later. Arne Engels’ smart film released Hatate and his low cross from the right swept the net from Idah.
Celtic is back level 😎
Adam Idah sees Morgan’s 2 goals in 4 minutes and increases it to 2 goals in 2 1/2 minutes 😵
📺 @tntsports & @DiscoveryPlusuk pic.twitter.com/37zPafzsi7
– Football at TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 29 2025
After a maniac first semester, the opening of 15 minutes of the second period was soothing compared to the two sides seemed to catch their breath.
They might know the results in other places they meant that they were out of the top eight, the villa had to confirm their power and did so on the sign of time.
McGinn released Ramsey and his passage was perfect for Watkins to shoot Schmeichel.
The villa was behind where they should be, but they continued to make life difficult for themselves. Another mistake by Schmeichel introduced the ball to McGinn and his passage should have been buried by Watkins, but the Danish goalkeeper saved his shot with Rogers shooting the recovery.
Watkins fake his lines
An even greater opportunity came and went after 67 minutes, when Auston trusted Watkins in the area, but the English striker slipped when he took the spot-kick and the ball ran from both legs and threw high over the bar.
Villa continued to come and Schmeichel did well after 71 minutes to keep Watkins’ crunchy shot with his outstretched leg.
Watkins then shot in Sidenetting when he was well placed before Schmeichel produced a brand stop to deny the former Brdford man.
The fourth target finally came in break time.
Watkins 🤝 rogers
Rogers gets his hattrick to make 4 goals for Villa 🔥
📺 @tntsports & @DiscoveryPlusuk pic.twitter.com/aanat3okd0
– Football at TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 29 2025
Deputy Dane Murray slipped and even though Schmeichel did enough to stop Watkins, Rogers was on alert to score.
And when the news was filled by Catalonia at Atalanta, the party started.
