Preview: Aston Villa v Celtic – team news, lineups, betting odds, prediction
Aston Villa return to Champions League action on Wednesday evening when Celtic travel to Villa Park.
The Villans slipped outside the top eight positions last time out after suffering a 1-0 loss away to Monaco courtesy of a Wilfried Singo strike.
Unai Emery will be eager to return to winning ways after a 70th-minute Emerson Palmieri equaliser snatched the three points in a 1-1 draw against West Ham United in the Premier League on Sunday (26 January).
Preview
The Villans have plenty of positives to take into the Champions League clash despite the lack of positive results, with starlet Jacob Ramsey stealing the headlines over the weekend.
Ramsey broke the deadlock at Villa Park after eight minutes and is proving to be a consistent performer in John McGinn's absence.
However, Celtic are no strangers to facing English opposition under the lights in Europe - it certainly will not be easy for the hosts.
With key starters such as Lucas Digne recently producing "awful" displays, every player selected to start against the Hoops on Wednesday (28 January) must be ready to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
Only one point and nine places separate the sides in the league phase table. Whoever claims the victory at Villa Park will surely secure a spot in the top eight and a bye in the first knockout round of this year's competition.
Form Guide [all competitions]
Aston Villa: DLDWW
Celtic: WWDWW
Head-to-Head
Villa's encounter with Celtic will be the first competitive meeting between the two sides, who each boast a rich history on the continent.
The Hoops have a solid record against English opposition with seven wins, seven draws and only six losses in 20 matches.
Team News for Aston Villa v Celtic
Emery has several injury concerns heading into the clash, with John McGinn, Pau Torres and Ross Barkley absent.
Tyrone Mings is a doubt after sustaining an injury in the draw against West Ham but has reassured the supporters it is not a "serious" setback.
New signings Andreas Garcia and Donyell Malen are also ineligible, as they have not been registered in the European squad.
Daizen Maeda will miss the trip to the West Midlands as he serves a one-match suspension in the Champions League.
Brendan Rodgers will also be without Odin Holm and James Forrest, with the pair sidelined through injury.
Predicted lineups for Aston Villa v Celtic
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Bogarde, Konsa, Digne, Tielemans, Kamara, Bailey, Rogers, Buendia, Watkins
Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor, Engles, McGregor, Hatate, Kuhn, Hyun-Jun, Idah
Aston Villa v Celtic betting odds
Aston Villa win - 1/2
Draw - 100/30
Celtic win - 9/2
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Celtic
Although Villa are enduring a slump heading into the clash, the hosts will have too much firepower for the Scottish Premiership outfit.
Celtic have a history of travelling south of the border and causing upsets in the Champions League, but there is so much at stake heading to Villa Park.
Both are guaranteed to progress to the knockouts, but a spot in the top eight will alleviate Emery's pressure both domestically and in Europe.
Therefore, even with a rotated side, the Villans will feel comfortable getting the job done on Wednesday.
In other Aston Villa news, Louie Barry set for medical after Villa agree transfer.
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