Celtic face Battle of Britain with Villa after sealing Champions League progression

Celtic are bringing the league phase of their Champions League campaign to an end with a Battle of Britain against Aston Villa.

Brendan Rodgers’ side travel to Villa Park safe in the knowledge of progression to the knock-out round after beating Young Boys in their penultimate league phase game.

A late own goal by Loris Benito last Wednesday at Celtic Park confirmed the Hoops’ return to knockout football in Europe’s premier competition for the first time since 2012.

And there is even a possibility of qualification directly into the last 16 should they win, but with a number of other results needing to go the way of the Parkhead side.

Unai Emery’s men will be hoping they can leapfrog into guaranteed automatic qualification as they sit just outside the top eight but on the same points as Bayer Leverkusen in eighth.

Celtic go into the game without their talisman Kyogo, who sealed a move to Ligue 1 side Rennes this week after a successful three-and-a-half year spell with the Scottish champions.

In return, fan favourite Jota penned a five-year deal to come back to Glasgow after leaving for pastures new in Saudi Arabia over 18 months ago.

The Portuguese winger, however, is unable to make his second debut against Villa due to Champions League registration rules.

Daizen Maeda also won’t travel to Birmingham after he was sent off in the late stages of the game against Young Boys last week.

Rodgers also confirmed on Tuesday his side would be without defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, who felt a knock in the previous game.

He said: “It’s a brilliant game, for us its a great achievement to be in the top 24.

“The players have been fantastic, stuck with the idea and achieved what they set out to do which was to arrive in the playoffs.

“Our job is not complete. It’s a great venue and a fantastic team to play but we want to play to the level we know we can.”

The Celtic boss also confirmed Barcelona loan signing Alex Valle won’t play for the club after his loan spell is due to be cut short ahead of a move to Como.

Meanwhile Emery called on his side to finish the job in a “special” clash with the Scottish champions.

Emery said: “I want to be in the top eight and we have the opportunity which is fantastic. Last week I was a little pessimistic. Overall we are doing a fantastic way with 13 points.

“It’s not in our hands, but a lot of other teams as well have to win again tomorrow in case we are winning.”

He added: “Tomorrow is a very good opportunity against Celtic to enjoy it here and I know this is a rival match for our supporters as well.

“It is fantastic to play against teams like Celtic. It’s a special match.

“I am not from Scotland. But it’s very special. To play in Europe, always, is special, very special.”