Home SPORTS Celtic Progress to UCL Playoffs Despite 4-2 Loss to Aston Villa

Celtic Progress to UCL Playoffs Despite 4-2 Loss to Aston Villa

Read

Aston Villa secured a thrilling 4-2 win over Celtic in the UEFA Champions League, booking their spot in the last 16. Get the latest UCL updates, match highlights, and results.



Aston Villa secured a thrilling 4-2 victory over Celtic in the UEFA Champions League, guaranteeing a spot in the last 16 and a top-eight finish in the league phase standings. Despite the win, Celtic also progressed to the next stage, albeit via the playoffs.


Aston Villa's chances of advancing had taken a hit after a 1-0 away defeat to AS Monaco, which dropped them out of the top eight. However, they made a whirlwind start at Villa Park, lifting them back into contention. Inside three minutes, Youri Tielemans and Jacob Ramsey combined to release Ramsey down the left, and his low ball into the box was expertly tucked home by Morgan Rogers for his first UCL goal.




Less than two minutes later, Rogers doubled his tally with a deflected shot from the edge of the box that sailed into the top corner, beating Kasper Schmeichel. Celtic were firmly on the back foot, and Aston Villa almost scored a third when Ramsey hit the post, and the ball looped up off Schmeichel's ankle. Soon after, a Ramsey-led counter-attack was worked to Ollie Watkins, whose shot was cleared off the line by Alistair Johnston.


Until this point, Celtic had offered little threat, but the game took a dramatic turn with two quickfire goals from Adam Idah, leaving the Aston Villa fans stunned. Idah's first goal came after Greg Taylor's cross was diverted by John McGinn, allowing the striker to score with an improvised finish.


Celtic's momentum continued, and they drew level just before halftime. A neat move ended with Reo Hatate pulling the ball across for Idah, who thrashed home his second goal, sending the Celtic fans into raptures and setting up a tense second half.


The match resumed with both teams evenly poised, and a draw would have been insufficient for either side. This led to an absorbing and open contest, with both teams creating scoring opportunities. Morgan Rogers, seeking a hat-trick, stroked a low effort wide of the far post, but he played a crucial role in Villa's next attack.


Rogers held off a challenge, allowing Villa to launch a counter-attack. John McGinn charged forward, feeding Jacob Ramsey, who laid the ball off for Ollie Watkins to calmly finish and retake the lead for Villa. Moments later, Watkins could have scored another goal when Kasper Schmeichel gave the ball away cheaply, but the goalkeeper made amends for his error with a superb save to deny Watkins.


The chaos continued when referee Clément Turpin awarded Villa a penalty, adjudging Auston Trusty to have brought down Watkins unfairly. With the opportunity to score his second goal, Watkins stepped up to take the penalty but lost his footing, sending the ball ballooning over the bar as he fell to the ground.


Ollie Watkins continued to be frustrated by Kasper Schmeichel, who made another save to deny the Villa forward. Meanwhile, Reo Hatate sent a shot wide from distance as Celtic sought to get back into the game.




Brendan Rodgers, managing his 100th European game, made a double substitution in search of a grandstand finish. Celtic refused to give up, with Adam Idah forcing a save from a tight angle. Minutes later, Schmeichel denied Morgan Rogers from close range, preserving Celtic's slim hopes.


The entertaining battle ultimately ended with Villa on top. Ollie Watkins stole possession in the box and teed up Morgan Rogers, who scored his third goal of the game to complete his first senior hat-trick. Thanks to results elsewhere, Aston Villa secured a spot in the round of 16, while Celtic will participate in Friday's play-off draw.




Tags :

No comments:

Leave comment here

Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )
Powered by Blogger.