Verdict: Aston Villa win
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Facing what is a must-win Champions League showdown on Wednesday night, Aston Villa will welcome Celtic to the Midlands.
Aston Villa
Starting with the hosts, while Aston Villa might have come flying out of the traps when opening the New Year, Unai Emery’s men have once again struggled with their consistency. Missing out on what they had billed as a real opportunity last week as they eventually fell to a 1-0 loss away at French outfit Monaco, the former PSG boss has not seen his squad muster a win from any of their previous three appearances across all competitions. Fortunate to have snatched a 1-1 stalemate at home against West Ham over the weekend, Villa have also shown some extended defensive issues. Suffering a 3-0 drumming against Newcastle on Boxing Day, Emery’s side have registered just a sole clean sheet from any of their last 11 consecutive outings.
Aston Villa Team News
Suffering what appears to be yet another long-term knee injury against West Ham over the weekend, skipper Tyrone Mings will miss out on Wednesday night. Likewise, former Everton midfielder Amadou Onana remains on the sidelines with a thigh issue.
Making a cameo appearance off the bench on Sunday afternoon, John McGinn could be handed a full recall in the middle of the park. Still linked with a big-money move away from Villa Park this month, Colombian marksman Jhon Duran could replace Ollie Watkins in leading the line.
Celtic
As for the visitors, although Celtic might open Wednesday’s trip to the Midlands pencilled in as a real underdog contender, Brendan Rodgers’ side are enjoying a real flurry. Despite getting the New Year underway with a woeful 3-0 defeat at the hands of arch-rivals Rangers, the former Leicester boss has seen his squad come roaring back. Holding a dominant 10-point buffer at the top of the Premiership table, the Scottish icons are storming their way to yet more domestic history in 2025. Last seen in Champions League action claiming a 1-0 victory against Swiss outfit BSC Young Boys, Celtic have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 25 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to a 7-1 drumming against Borussia Dortmund on October 1st.
Celtic Team News
Shown a late red card against BSC Young Boys last week, Japanese international Daizen Maeda will miss out through suspension on Wednesday night. Likewise, not making a single appearance across any competition since the middle of December, Scotland international James Forrest remains on the sidelines.
Expected to complete a move to French outfit Rennes this week, attacking talisman Kyogo Furuhashi will not feature in the Midlands. Putting pen to paper on a new deal in Glasgow, former Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel will start between the sticks here.
Aston Villa vs Celtic Key Factors to Consider
- Aston Villa have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their previous 11 appearances across all competitions.
- Wednesday’s hosts have recorded just a sole clean sheet in the Midlands over the past two months.
- Celtic have suffered just a single defeat from any of their last 25 matchups across all competitions.
- However, the Scottish heavyweights have mustered just a single win from any of their previous five away fixtures.
- Celtic’s last three matchups on the road have produced 14 goals at both ends of the pitch.
Conclusion
Without a win from any of their previous three appearances across all competitions, Aston Villa will have a tremendous amount of pressure on their shoulders here. Showing some extended defensive struggles, Emery’s men will be more than aware that they face a must-win showdown on Wednesday night. However, with Celtic failing to notch a single Champions League victory on their travels since way back in 2019, we are expecting Villa to claim a welcomed boost in the Midlands.
Verdict: Aston Villa win
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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