Morgan Rogers’ Hat-Trick Fires Aston Villa into Champions League Last 16 as Celtic Face Play-Off Hurdle
Aston Villa secured their place in the Champions League last 16 with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Celtic at Villa Park, thanks to a sensational hat-trick from Morgan Rogers. The Premier League side surged into an early lead, but Celtic showed resilience before ultimately falling short. While Villa march on, the Hoops must now navigate a play-off to keep their European hopes alive.
Rogers’ Rapid Start Stuns Celtic
From the opening whistle, Unai Emery’s side wasted no time asserting dominance. Morgan Rogers delivered an electric start, netting twice in the first five minutes to put Villa in control. The 21-year-old forward, who has been a rising star under Emery, capitalised on defensive lapses to leave Celtic shell-shocked.
However, Brendan Rodgers’ men refused to buckle under the early onslaught. Adam Idah, leading the line in Kyogo Furuhashi’s absence, spearheaded the visitors’ fightback. The Irish striker struck twice before half-time, stunning the home crowd and restoring parity in a pulsating first half.
Watkins Restores Villa’s Lead Amid Penalty Drama
Villa responded swiftly after the break, with Ollie Watkins firing the hosts back in front. The England international, fresh off transfer speculation following a rejected bid from Arsenal, showcased his attacking prowess to edge Villa ahead.
Watkins had the chance to put the game to bed from the penalty spot but blazed his effort over the bar, offering Celtic a lifeline. Yet, their hopes were dashed when Dane Murray, making his Champions League group stage debut for the Hoops, gifted possession to Watkins. The striker unselfishly squared for Rogers, who coolly slotted home to complete his hat-trick and seal Villa’s place in the knockout stages.
What’s Next for Both Sides?
With the victory, Aston Villa progress to the last 16, where they will face one of Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting, or Club Brugge. The club’s European resurgence under Emery continues, as they now set their sights on making a deep run in the competition.
For Celtic, the road to the knockout rounds just got tougher. They must now overcome either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in a high-stakes play-off to extend their Champions League campaign. Despite the setback, their spirited performance at Villa Park showed promise, and Rodgers will be keen to rally his squad for the crucial challenge ahead.
Villa fans will celebrate their club’s continued European adventure, while Celtic supporters will anxiously await the play-off draw, knowing their fate hangs in the balance.