Aston Villa are set to host Celtic at Villa Park on Wednesday evening in a crucial Champions League group stage encounter. This match represents a significant moment for Villa, who are eager to secure their place in the knockout rounds of the prestigious tournament.
**Match Information**
- **Date**: Wednesday, January 29, 2025
- **Kick-off Time**: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET
- **Location**: Villa Park, Birmingham, UK
**How to Watch**
In the United Kingdom, the match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports, with coverage beginning at 19:00 GMT. Viewers can also stream the match via Discovery+, which requires a subscription priced at £30.99 per month. For fans in the United States, Paramount+ will provide comprehensive coverage of the Champions League matches, with subscription options starting at $7.99 per month or $59.99 annually. Australian supporters can catch the action on Stan Sport, which requires an additional $15 monthly fee on top of an existing subscription, while a complete Stan subscription is available for $12 per month.
In Canada, the match will be available on DAZN, with subscriptions starting from $24.99 per month. New Zealand viewers can also access the game through DAZN, with monthly subscriptions priced at $14.99 or an annual option for $149.99.
For supporters travelling abroad who wish to access their regular streaming services, using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) can provide a secure and reliable method to stream the match as if they were at home.
**Match Preview**
The upcoming clash between Aston Villa and Celtic is of paramount importance, particularly for Villa, who recently encountered a setback against Monaco, jeopardising their hopes of advancing to the knockout stage. Currently positioned outside the top eight, Villa find themselves tied on points with Bayer Leverkusen, although they trail on goal difference. The group is highly competitive, with several clubs, including Monaco, Feyenoord, Lille, and Brest, all vying for the coveted spots, each sitting on 13 points.
A victory against Celtic is essential for Villa to secure a direct path to the knockout rounds; failure to achieve this could see them relegated to the play-offs. In contrast, Celtic have already secured their place in the play-offs following a narrow 1-0 victory over Young Boys. This result allows Brendan Rodgers’ side to approach the match with a degree of freedom, although they still harbour ambitions of finishing in the top eight, contingent upon a win at Villa Park and favourable results elsewhere.
This encounter promises to be both thrilling and pivotal, as Aston Villa fight for their Champions League future while Celtic look to solidify their standing in the competition. The stakes are high, and the atmosphere at Villa Park is sure to be electric as both teams strive for a crucial victory.