In a captivating display of skill and determination, Morgan Rogers spearheaded Aston Villa's thrilling 4-2 victory over Celtic, propelling the club into the Champions League knockout stages. Rogers' remarkable hat-trick not only marked a significant milestone in his burgeoning career but also ensured that Villa finished eighth in the league phase, securing their direct progression to the last 16.
The England international etched his name in Champions League history by becoming the first player to score two goals within the opening five minutes of a match, giving Villa an early advantage at Villa Park. However, Celtic responded with resilience, as Adam Idah netted twice before half-time, temporarily levelling the score. Ollie Watkins then restored Villa's lead in a gripping encounter, despite later missing a penalty. Rogers capped off his outstanding performance by completing his first career treble in the dying moments of the match.
Reflecting on his achievement, Rogers expressed his elation, stating: "It's definitely the highlight of my career so far. It's a crazy experience and a crazy game to be a part of. It's a massive achievement and we should be proud of ourselves. I've never scored two goals in a game in my career, so it's something that's been on my mind for a while. I've never had that experience, that feeling before, and to do it on this stage in a big game that we knew we needed to win is something I'll remember forever."
The forward also emphasised the team's resilience in overcoming the temporary setback of conceding their early lead. "It's something we had to address starting games behind and giving ourselves a mountain to climb," he remarked. "Still something to work on but the good start is something to put us on the right foot. I felt we were on top for the large majority. We scored two goals and that's what changed the game. We had to dig deep, we know we can, we do it in the Premier League every week. We thoroughly deserve it. We've got the hunger and the drive, and we've got a manager who pushes us every day."
On the other side, Celtic approached the match with a sense of accomplishment, having already secured their place in the play-off round. Nonetheless, the defeat was disheartening, particularly as they prepare to face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the next stage. Adam Idah shared his thoughts with Celtic TV, stating: "I think we have been fantastic; if you'd have said at the start we'd be here, we'd have taken it all day. We've done better. We have a lot of belief and confidence in ourselves to go as far as we can. We are very excited for the next couple of games and hopefully we can do well. We want to play the top teams when we are in the Champions League; it will be a test for us, as they are two of the best teams in the world. Everyone is looking forward to it; it's a tough task but hopefully we can get a result."
As reported by Yahoo! Sport, the league phase of the Champions League has now concluded, setting the stage for the knockout rounds ahead. Aston Villa's impressive performance not only highlights their potential but also raises expectations for their journey in this prestigious tournament.