Daniel Cummings, Arne Engels and Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Celtic, applauds the fans after the team’s defeat during the UEFA Champions League match between Aston Villa and Celtic at Villa Park on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

It was a blockbuster Battle of Britain showdown as Aston Villa were pushed all the way by Celtic in a Champions League thriller. But it was a nightmare start for the Scottish Premiership champions as Brendan Rodgers watched his side crumble in the Villa Park cauldron.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has named his side to face Aston Villa in the final Champions League group phase game. The Scottish champions have already guaranteed themselves a place in at least the play-off phase of the elite competition but still have a slim chance of breaking into the top eight and taking direct entry to the last 16.

Celtic FC Manager Brendan spoke to the media following The Bhoys' 4-2 loss away in the UEFA Champions League against Aston Villa. Full Press Conference Courtesy of UEFA.

It has already been a successful UEFA Champions League campaign for Celtic, with Brendan Rodgers’ side having secured a place in the play-off round of the prestigious tournament with a game to

It was a nightmare start for the Scottish Premiership champions as Brendan Rodgers watched his side crumble in the Villa Park cauldron. Morgan Rogers netted a quick-fire double inside five minutes to leave Celtic with an uphill battle against the Premier League side.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has spoke of his pride at "playing our part in a really good game". "It was a brilliant game to be involved in. The word that strikes me at the moment is pride.

Celtic travel to Villa Park safe in the knowledge of progression to the knock-out round after beating Young Boys in their penultimate league phase game.

Listen to Sportsound and follow live text updates of Celtic's final league phase fixture in the Champions League against Aston Villa.

CELTIC fans didn’t leave Villa Park wondering what might have been. They were dreaming of what’s to come. Brendan Rodgers’ side played their part in a thrilling, end-to-end Champions League clash

Brendan Rodgers said was proud of Celtic's performance at Villa Park even though a 4-2 defeat condemned them to a play-off tie against one of the giants of European football.

Both Celtic and Villa can still still secure an automatic qualification spot, but results would have to fall favourably elsewhere for either to progress should they win.