It was the game everyone was talking about. Scottish Champions Celtic heading to Birmingham in their numbers in the battle of Britain tie in the Champions League. It would be the first time the two clubs had met comparatively in their history.
The stage was set, and Villa Park was packed to the rafters in all its glory. It was simple – a win for Villa would give them a great opportunity for a place in the last 16 of the Champions League. Anything else would mean a knock-out game similar to that of Celtic!
Report: Aston Villa 4-2 Celtic
The visitors would have feared the worst when they fell behind very early in the clash.
Boubacar Kamara, who started in defence due to Villa’s defensive injury problems, picked out Lucas Digne with a beautiful lofted pass. The French man played the ball to Jacob Ramsey who linked up with Youri Tielemans before driving into the box and squaring the ball for Morgan Rogers to slot home and make it 1-0 after just 2 and half minutes.
A couple of minutes later the home side doubled their lead. Celtic tried to clear the ball but Ezri Konsa beat Adam Idah to the ball allowing Lamare Bogarde to find Ollie Watkins who in turn released Rogers who unleashed a fabulous strike leaving Kasper Schmeichel no chance as the ball smashed into the top left-hand corner of the net.
Celtics first chance of note came just before the half-hour mark through Reo Hatate but Emi Martínez was equal to the effort.
Moments later Villa should have had a third but luck was on Celtic’s side when Ramsey’s effort crashed off the post and into a grateful Schmeichel’s arms.
Villa were soon on the attached again when Rogers unleashed Ramsey who travelled into the box before playing the ball to Watkins via Leon Bailey but Alistair Johnston was on hand to clear off the line and deny the England international.
Against the run of play, Celtic hit back and shucked Villa Park. The first goal came when Greg Taylor’s cross took a deflection off John McGinn and into the path of Idah who slotted home from close range.
The comeback was complete moments later when Hatate was allowed time to cross the ball, once again picking out Idah who was able to get free of Bogarde and make it 2-2.
Quite the first half but Villa soon found themselves ahead again just before the hour mark. Rogers played the ball to McGinn who set Ramsey through before pulling the ball back for Watkins to score his first goal in the Champions League.
The home side continued to come and could have scored a fourth when Villa forced an error from Celtic through pressing but Schmeichel was equal to Watkins’ effort and then Rogers fired the rebound high and wide.
A minute later, Villa were awarded a penalty when Watkins was brought down in the box. The England striker stepped up but slipped on his run up and hooped his effort over the bar to give Celtic some hope.
With twenty minutes to go, Watkins again was causing problems when Konsa won the ball in the Celtic box as they attempted to clear a corner but the striker was denied by Schmeichel’s foot.
Ten minutes later it was the turn of Rogers who was picked out by Bailey as he broke through the Celtic defence but another good save from the Celtic keeper denied Villa.
Villa eventually scored again in injury time when Watkins robbed Dane Murray before laying the ball off for Rogers who smashed the ball home to complete his hat-trick and give his side the much-deserved win.
