Aston Villa are poised to face Celtic in a crucial Champions League encounter, following a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Monaco. This setback leaves Villa with a precarious one-point lead over their Scottish rivals, who have accumulated 12 points from a possible 21. Celtic, buoyed by a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Young Boys, will be eager to capitalise on this momentum.
For Unai Emery's side, securing a win against Celtic is imperative in their pursuit of a top-eight finish in the group stage. Currently level on points with Bayer Leverkusen, who occupy the eighth position, Villa's aspirations for automatic qualification to the next round hinge on the outcomes of matches involving Atletico Madrid, Atalanta, AC Milan, and Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday night.
Emery faces significant challenges regarding squad availability, as he will be without several key players. Amadou Onana is sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Pau Torres is out due to a foot issue. Ross Barkley is also unavailable because of a calf problem, and Tyrone Mings remains a doubt after sustaining an injury during the recent 1-1 draw against West Ham.
On the other side, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will be without James Forrest, who is still recovering from a foot injury, and Jota, who is dealing with a muscle injury. Odin Thiago Holm is also ruled out with a calf issue, while Daizen Maeda's suspension is a further setback, given his impressive tally of three goals in seven Champions League matches.
The anticipated line-up for Aston Villa features goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, with a defensive line comprising Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, and Diogo Carlos, supported by left-back Ian Maatsen. The midfield will include Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara, while the attacking trio will consist of Leon Bailey, Jacob Ramsey, and Ollie Watkins. Celtic's expected formation includes goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, alongside defenders Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Greg Taylor. Their midfield will be anchored by Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate, with an attacking front featuring Khn, Adam Idah, and Bernardo.
A player to watch for Aston Villa is Jacob Ramsey, who has made a significant impact this season with six goals and four assists in 22 appearances. Although he has yet to find the net in the Champions League, his performances have been noteworthy, particularly for his ability to navigate defences and create scoring opportunities.
Similarly, Celtic's Nicolas Khn has been a pivotal player this season, registering nine goals and six assists in 19 appearances, including two goals in the Champions League. Despite a less impactful performance against Young Boys, Khn’s two goals against RB Leipzig in November were instrumental in securing Celtic’s playoff position, and he will be keen to enhance his Champions League tally.
The match is set to take place at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 GMT on Wednesday, 29th January 2025. Coverage will commence at 19:30 GMT on TNT Sports 1/TNT Sports Ultimate in the UK. This clash promises to be a pivotal encounter for both teams as they vie for advancement in the prestigious European competition.