The Matchday 8 clash in the 2024/25 Champions League group stage between Aston Villa (England) and Celtic (Scotland) will take place on January 29 at Villa Park in Birmingham. Aston Villa vs. Celtic: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Aston Villa
The Birmingham side played their last match away, where they lost 0-1 to Monaco. In the last four group stage matches, the English team has only secured one victory (1 draw and 2 losses), yet they sit comfortably in 9th place and have already guaranteed a spot in the playoff matches. There is a decent chance to qualify directly for the Champions League Round of 16, but to do so, they need to win the upcoming match and hope for slip-ups from their closest competitors. It is worth noting that Unai Emery's men have failed to score in 3 of their last 4 games in this European competition.
Due to injuries, defender Pau Torres and midfielders Ross Barkley and Amadou Onana are sidelined. Defender Tyrone Mings is doubtful for the match.
- At least one team has failed to score in 6 of Aston Villa's last 7 matches in this tournament.
- No more than three goals have been scored in 6 of the last 7 matches for the Birmingham side in the Champions League.
- The English club has played three home matches in this European competition and has not conceded a goal.
Celtic
The Scots secured their advancement to the next stage of the tournament after a home win against Young Boys (1-0). The team is in 18th place in the standings, trailing the Birmingham side by just one point. Notably, Brendan Rodgers' side is on a current 5-match unbeaten run in the Champions League (2 wins and 3 draws), with only one defeat in seven rounds played.
Forward Daizen Maeda will miss the match due to suspension. Forward James Forrest and midfielder Odin Thiago Holm are in the infirmary. Defender Cameron Carter-Vickers is doubtful for the match.
- Celtic has suffered only one defeat in their last eight Champions League matches (4 wins and 3 draws).
- The club has not scored more than one goal in 5 of their last 6 games in this European competition.
- The team has not won in regular time in 10 consecutive away matches in this tournament (4 draws and 6 losses).
Predicted lineups for Aston Villa vs. Celtic
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez – Lucas Digne, Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings – Youri Tielemans, Boubacar Kamara – Morgan Rogers, Amadou Onana, Leon Bailey – Ollie Watkins.
Celtic (4-3-3): Kasper Schmeichel – Greg Taylor, Auston Trusty, Liam Scales, Alistair Johnston – Arne Engels, Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate – Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kühn, Kyogo Furuhashi.
Referee: Clément Turpin (France)
Matches – 8 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 28;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.5;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 50%.
Aston Villa vs. Celtic: Match Prediction
The English side is set on victory in the upcoming match, preferably by a large margin. Aston Villa aims to finish among the top eight to secure a direct spot in the Champions League Round of 16. There is a strong possibility that several teams will end up with the same points, and then goal difference will be crucial in the standings. Unai Emery's team has performed excellently in three home matches in the group stage, defeating Bayern and Bologna with clean sheets and drawing with Juventus.
In my opinion, Celtic was fortunate with the draw. The club has played only three matches against top European league opponents, winning just one at home against Leipzig. However, they suffered a heavy defeat against Borussia Dortmund (1-7). Such a scoreline is unlikely in England, but the Birmingham side is capable of defeating the Scots by two or more goals. Additionally, Celtic is weak away from home, having not won in 10 games, and in their last six away matches in the Champions League, they have scored just one goal.
My prediction: Aston Villa to win with a -1 handicap
