Aston Villa welcome Scottish champions Celtic to Villa Park on Wednesday night for a highly anticipated Champions League clash. Both sides have already secured qualification for the knockout phase, but there’s still plenty at stake as they look to finish the league phase on a high.
This is the first-ever competitive meeting between these two historic clubs, both of whom have previously lifted the European Cup. With Villa looking to avoid the play-offs and Celtic eager to maintain momentum, expect an intense battle under the lights in Birmingham.
Will Unai Emery’s side bounce back from recent struggles, or can Brendan Rodgers’ men spring a surprise on English soil? Let’s break it all down.
Match Details: Aston Villa vs Celtic
- 📍 Location: Villa Park, Birmingham, England
- 📅 Date: Wednesday, January 29, 2025
- ⏰ Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
- 📺 Broadcast: TNT Sports, Paramount+
- 👨⚖️ Referee: Clement Turpin (France)
- 🎥 VAR: Jerome Brisard (France)
Head-to-Head Record
📌 This will be the first-ever competitive fixture between Aston Villa and Celtic.
While the two clubs have never met in an official match, both are steeped in European history. Villa famously won the European Cup in 1982, while Celtic became the first British club to lift the trophy in 1967.
Current Form (All Competitions)
Aston Villa
📉 Recent Results:
- 🔄 Aston Villa 1-1 West Ham – 26/01/25
- ❌ Monaco 1-0 Aston Villa – 21/01/25
- 🔄 Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa – 18/01/25
- ✅ Everton 0-1 Aston Villa – 15/01/25
- ✅ Aston Villa 2-1 West Ham – 10/01/25
📊 Key Stats:
- Villa have won just two of their last five matches in all competitions.
- They have scored in 11 consecutive home games across all competitions.
Celtic
📈 Recent Results:
- ✅ Celtic 1-0 Young Boys – 22/01/25
- ✅ Celtic 2-1 Kilmarnock – 18/01/25
- 🔄 Dundee 3-3 Celtic – 14/01/25
- ✅ Ross County 1-4 Celtic – 11/01/25
- ✅ Celtic 2-0 Dundee United – 08/01/25
📊 Key Stats:
- Celtic are unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions.
- They have scored 12 goals in their last five games, averaging 2.4 goals per match.
Aston Villa Team News & Predicted Lineup
Villa’s defensive crisis deepened over the weekend, with Tyrone Mings limping off during the 1-1 draw against West Ham. With Pau Torres also sidelined and Diego Carlos leaving the club, Unai Emery faces a serious shortage at center-back. Lucas Digne is expected to deputize alongside Ezri Konsa.
In midfield, Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley remain unavailable, though John McGinn made his return last weekend and could feature in some capacity. New signings Donyell Malen and Andres Garcia are ineligible until the knockout phase.
📝 Predicted Aston Villa Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Digne, Maatsen; Tielemans, Kamara; Bailey, Rogers, Ramsey; Watkins
Celtic Team News & Predicted Lineup
Celtic will be without their star forward Kyogo Furuhashi, who recently completed a move to Rennes after scoring 86 goals in 167 matches for the Bhoys. Daizen Maeda is also suspended, leaving Brendan Rodgers with limited attacking options.
The good news for Celtic fans is the return of Jota, but the Portuguese winger is ineligible for this match. James Forrest remains out with a foot injury.
📝 Predicted Celtic Lineup (4-3-3):
Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor; Engels, McGregor, Hatate; Kuhn, Idah, Palma
Key Battles to Watch
1️⃣ Ollie Watkins vs. Cameron Carter-Vickers
Watkins has been Villa’s main attacking threat this season, scoring 13 goals across all competitions. Carter-Vickers will need to be at his best to contain the English striker.
2️⃣ Villa’s Makeshift Defense vs. Celtic’s Attack
With injuries forcing Villa to reshuffle their backline, Celtic’s Adam Idah and Liel Abada will look to capitalize on any defensive frailties.
3️⃣ John McGinn vs. Callum McGregor
McGinn, a former Hibernian star, knows Celtic well and will relish the midfield battle against Scotland teammate McGregor.
Aston Villa vs Celtic: Score Prediction
Villa may not be at full strength, but their home form has been impressive this season. They’ve lost just one of their last 10 matches at Villa Park and should have enough quality to edge past Celtic.
Celtic, meanwhile, have looked strong in attack but will miss Furuhashi and Maeda. Their defensive vulnerabilities could be exposed by Villa’s pace and movement in the final third.
Expect a competitive game, but Villa should secure the win in front of their home crowd.
🔮 Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Celtic
Final Thoughts
Aston Villa and Celtic both have their places in the knockout rounds secured, but there’s still plenty to play for. Villa will want to avoid the play-offs and claim automatic qualification, while Celtic will be keen to prove themselves against English opposition.
With both teams struggling with injuries and suspensions, this could be a tightly contested affair. However, Villa’s home advantage and superior squad depth should see them through.
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FAQs: Aston Villa vs Celtic
1️⃣ What happens if Aston Villa lose to Celtic?
Villa have already secured qualification, but a loss could force them into the play-offs rather than securing an automatic last-16 spot.
2️⃣ Who are the key players for Aston Villa in this match?
Ollie Watkins, Lucas Digne (playing out of position in defense), and Leon Bailey will be crucial for Villa.
3️⃣ How have Celtic performed against English teams in Europe?
Celtic have historically struggled against English opposition, winning just six of their 26 matches against English clubs in European competitions.
4️⃣ Will Aston Villa rotate their squad?
With a Premier League game at the weekend, Unai Emery may make a few changes but will still field a strong lineup.
5️⃣ Where can I watch Aston Villa vs Celtic?
The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports in the UK and Paramount+ in the US.
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