Unai Emery urges Aston Villa to finish the job in 'special' Celtic clash

Unai Emery has called on Aston Villa to finish the job and earn direct qualification to the Champions League last 16 against Celtic.

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 to the last 16 should they win, however a number of other results would need to go the Parkhead side’s way.

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.

Villa have toppled the likes of Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig so far in the competition and like their opponents on Wednesday they have already sealed progression.

Emery wants his side to get it done in a “special night”.

“I want to be in the top eight and we have the opportunity which is fantastic,” he said. “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.

“I want to play the match and enjoy it at Villa Park with our supporters. We are excited and motivated.

“The players as well, they are showing us that they are enjoying the Champions League and competing and creating the possibility of a strong atmosphere.

“They are a very prestigious club. They won the Champions League and we are excited and motivated with our supporters.

“We are with 13 points and with the possibility to be in the top eight. We are doing a very fantastic way in the Champions League. Even when we lost against Monaco, we competed more or less in the way I want.

“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.”