Aston Villa vs Celtic LIVE: Result and reaction as Villa sneak straight into last 16 with thrilling win
Aston Villa 4-2 Celtic: Morgan Rogers grabbed a hat-trick in match of huge drama that sent Villa straight through
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Your support makes all the difference.Morgan Rogers scored hat-trick and Ollie Watkins opened his Champions League account as Aston Villa beat Celtic 4-2 in a breathtaking game to seal their last-16 spot.
Rogers gave Villa a barnstorming start by scoring twice inside the opening five minutes, first steering in from close range and then planting a sublime dipping shot past Celtic keeper Kasper Schmeichel.
Scottish league leaders Celtic, who like Villa were already assured of at least a play-off place, stormed back before half-time as Adam Idah stunned the hosts with a quick-fire double.
Watkins restored Villa's lead after a flowing move on the hour but comically scooped a penalty horribly over the crossbar to ensure a nervous finale at Villa Park.
However, Rogers wrapped it up in a stoppage time to complete his hat-trick, while Celtic will prepare for a blockbuster play-off clash with either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid. Follow reaction from Villa Park in our live blog below:
REPORT: Aston Villa find perfect way to forget about unwanted transfer attention in Champions League thriller
On a night dominated by transfer news surrounding their two leading marksmen, a hat-trick from someone else, Morgan Rogers, was required to fire Aston Villa directly into the last 16 of the Champions League as Uefa netted yet another victory for their shiny new format.
Capping a memorable first league-phase adventure at Europe’s top table since 1982-83, a night full of drama ended with hat-trick hero Rogers, scoring his first three goals in the Champions League, and team-mates huddled around a phone to see if other results had gone Villa’s way.
Atalanta’s draw away to Barcelona sealed eighth spot for Villa – another remarkable achievement for Unai Emery. But the action on the pitch only told half the story of a night packed with more drama than a Hollyoaks omnibus.
Read Pete Hall’s full report from Villa Park:
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Aston Villa find perfect way to forget about unwanted transfer attention
Aston Villa 4-2 Celtic: Morgan Rogers’s hat-trick sent Villa straight into the Champions League last 16 but transfer questions remain over Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran
Celtic to play either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in play-offs
Huge news for Celtic. In the two-legged play-offs, they will face either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid. They’ll find out which in Friday’s draw but either way, what a fixture!
Incidentally, Man City will face the other one of Bayern or Real...
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Aston Villa qualify directly for the last 16
And it’s confirmed. ASTON VILLA ARE THROUGH TO THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LAST 16 DIRECTLY.
A brilliant effort by Villa to avoid those two-legged play-off next month. Celtic will be in there, which is also a brilliant effort by them
FULL-TIME! Aston Villa 4-2 Celtic
Wow, wow, wow. What a game of football that was. Villa deserved winners but too much drama to pithily sum up.
Morgan Rogers grabs the match-ball for his hat-trick and it means unless Atalanta score the latest of late goals, Villa are straight through to the last 16 in eighth spot!
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GOAL! Aston Villa 4-2 Celtic (Morgan Rogers, 90+1 mins)
Celtic the architects of their own downfall but Morgan Rogers has a hat-trick!
Murray gives the ball away in his own area as Watkins nips in, he draws in Schmeichel and squares to Rogers, where the youngster keeps his composure to slot past the two defenders on the line. What a moment for Rogers.
Aston Villa 3-2 Celtic, 90 mins
Into three minutes of injury time now. As it stands, Villa are sneaking straight through to the last 16 in eighth spot, while Celtic are heading to the two-legged play-offs.
Aston Villa 3-2 Celtic, 89 mins
Getting towards the final knockings here and Celtic still fancy nicking an equaliser. Villa only have themselves to blame for not putting this game to bed
Aston Villa 3-2 Celtic, 84 mins
Villa currently sneaking into the top eight, holding on to eighth spot ahead of Atalanta, who are drawing with Barcelona.
One goal from Atalanta would send Villa into the play-offs unless they get a couple of their own to overhaul Lille on goal difference. All these missed chances could come back to haunt Unai Emery’s men.
SAVE! Aston Villa 3-2 Celtic, 80 mins
Daniel Cummings on for Idah up top for Celtic for the final 10 minutes.
And it’s another superb save by Schmeichel. A stunning through ball from Bailey as his left-footed pass frees Rogers. Schmeichel comes out, makes himself big and saves one on one with a strong right arm when the ball is destined for the bottom corner.
WATCH: Ollie Watkins's comical penalty miss
Here’s that penalty miss by Watkins. A ridiculous moment and it could yet cost Villa.
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