Celtic could only manage a draw away against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League this week. The result leaves them with nine points after the first six games, sitting at 21st spot. The Hoops will be aiming to finish in the playoff spots. Unfortunately for them, one of their two remaining matches is a trip down south to take on Aston Villa.
Unai Emery's side have exceeded all expectations in Europe this season. At the moment, they sit at 5th in the Champions League. Only Liverpool and Barcelona have more points than them.
So, anything other than a defeat away against Aston Villa would have to be viewed as a positive result for the Hoops. On the other hand, Emery's side will surely be aiming to finish in the top 8.
Aston Villa have exceeded expectations in the competition. But that does not mean that they are satisfied with that. In a video posted by Beanyman Sports, Emery said:
"We were, at the beginning, more or less, trying to be protagonists. But now we achieve it to be in the top 24. Maybe we achieve it today to be in the top 16. Or maybe we can have the chances to be in the top eight.
“We are going to play two matches. Monaco and Celtic. And, of course, we are going to be motivated and our target is now higher than we had when we started this competition."
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery makes bold claim before Celtic game
Of course, Celtic will be the underdogs when they make the trip to Aston Villa. But that does not mean that they cannot get a result against the Premier League side.
The Hoops have lost only once in their six games in the Champions League so far this season. That came against last season's finalists, Borussia Dortmund, away at Signal Iduna Park. Also, Brendan Rodgers' side showed their ability to sit back and make it tough for high-profile opposition when they drew against Atalanta away in Bergamo.
The more vital game for Celtic will be the home one against BSC Young Boys. The Swiss team have lost all six of their games in the Champions League this season until now, have scored just thrice and sit bottom of the table.