Aston Villa and Celtic lock horns in a so-called “battle of Britain” this week as the UEFA Champions League league phase comes to a conclusion.
Unai Emery’s team sit ninth in the standings heading into the final matchweek, one place outside the automatic qualifying spots for the Round of 16. Victory against the Bhoys would give them a great chance of securing a bye to the next round, although they are already assured of at least a place in the knockout playoffs.
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Celtic are also guaranteed a playoff spot but could still snatch a top-eight finish if they manage to win at Villa Park and other results go their way, making this one of the more significant games of Matchweek Eight.
Their 1-0 win over Young Boys last time out put them in a good position, but they have not won an away match in the Champions League — either in the competition proper or qualifying playoffs — since 2019.
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Aston Villa vs. Celtic lineups, predicted starting 11, team news
Villa will almost certainly be without Tyrone Mings, who limped off with a knee injury in the West Ham draw after trying to play on following initial treatment. With Pau Torres also sidelined, Emery may need to replicate the change he made against the Hammers and move Lucas Digne to left centre-back, with Ian Maatsen at left-back.
Ross Barkley is still out, and Amadou Onana is in a race to be fully fit, so Emery’s options to freshen up his midfield and attack are limited. John McGinn or Emi Buendia could come in, while Jhon Duran may be given the nod ahead of Ollie Watkins up front.
Donyell Malen will not be eligible until the league phase is concluded, at which point clubs are permitted to add a maximum of three new players to their squads before the knockouts begin.
Aston Villa predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Martinez (GK) — Cash, Konsa, Digne, Maatsen — Tielemans, Kamara — Bailey, Rogers, McGinn — Duran
Injured: Mings (knee), Torres (ankle/foot), Barkley (calf), Onana (thigh, doubt)
Suspended: None
Ineligible: Malen
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The big loss for Celtic is forward Daizen Maeda, who is suspended due to his red card in the win over Young Boys. Paulo Bernardo could start in the front three in his stead to give the visitors a little more control when in possession, or Adam Idah could get the nod as the No. 9, with Kyogo Furuhashi playing in the wider role.
Otherwise, Brendan Rodgers’ injury picture would appear to be unchanged given they could not play last weekend. Odin Thiago Holm is a long-term absentee, but the Scottish champions are largely at full strength.
Celtic predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Schmeichel (GK) — Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor — Engels, McGregor, Hatate — Kuhn, Furuhashi, Bernardo
Injured: Holm
Suspended: Maeda (red card)
Aston Villa vs. Celtic live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Champions League match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
