Aston Villa have one final probability to seal automated qualification for the Champions League final 16 once they face Celtic in a vital ‘Battle of Britain’ conflict on Wednesday.
Heading into the ultimate spherical of league section fixtures, Unai Emery’s aspect sit ninth within the standings, with the highest eight assured to advance on to the final 16.
Groups who end ninth to twenty fourth will face a nerve-wracking play-off spherical that determines the ultimate eight golf equipment to progress.
Villa, who’re one level behind eighth positioned Bayer Leverkusen, will virtually actually need to beat Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic at Villa Park to keep away from the play-offs.
They may have virtually wrapped up a final 16 berth by beating Monaco final week, however as a substitute slipped to a shock 1-0 defeat towards the Ligue 1 aspect.
Villa defender Tyrone Mings is assured his aspect can deal with the pressure of such a crucial match.
“It is not stress, it is one thing we cope with each time we step out on to the soccer pitch, that is no totally different. We take pleasure in it,” Mings mentioned.
“It is clearly a really large recreation subsequent week, however all of them are in their very own method.”
Mings left the pitch in tears after struggling a first-half knee harm throughout Sunday’s 1-1 draw towards West Ham, sparking fears the influential centre-back will miss the Celtic match.
– ‘Realized our lesson’ –
Celtic are certain to complete in a playoff spot after beating Younger Boys 1-0 in Glasgow final week.
However Brendan Rodgers’ 18th-placed aspect are unlikely to take it simple towards Villa as they give the impression of being to complete as excessive as attainable within the desk and doubtlessly safe a much less formidable play-off opponent.
Celtic even have a degree to show after being thrashed 7-1 at Borussia Dortmund in essentially the most daunting of their league section matches.
A constructive end result towards Villa would quiet those that instructed their progress to the play-offs was due partially to a beneficial fixture listing.
“I believe we realized our lesson in Dortmund and bounced again very well. Generally you be taught when you could have a tricky time,” Celtic keeper Kasper Schmeichel mentioned.
“Barring one recreation, we now have been stable, we now have been excellent. We’ve had some very mature performances.
“That is the mark of the squad, we by no means get carried away, we keep humble and continue to learn.”
Celtic, unbeaten in 5 European matches, will journey south effectively rested after Saturday’s recreation towards Dundee was postponed attributable to injury on the membership’s stadium attributable to Storm Eowyn.
However Rodgers’ males are depleted by the absence of Japan internationals Daizen Maeda, who’s suspended, and Kyogo Furuhashi, who accomplished a transfer to Rennes on Monday.
Kyogo’s departure was softened by winger Jota getting back from Rennes, however he isn’t eligible to play on Wednesday.
In the meantime, west midlands police hope to maintain the lid on potential crowd hassle within the newest risky conflict between English and Scottish golf equipment.
The fixture at Villa Park comes six days after Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Rangers within the Europa League was marred by violent scenes.
There have been 39 arrests as Rangers followers infiltrated sections of the stadium reserved for United supporters, with dysfunction additionally reported within the metropolis centre.
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