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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Robbie Hanratty

Celtic out to spoil Villa’s UCL hopes: Insider knows ‘it won’t be a walk in the park’

Gabby Agbonlahor has warned Aston Villa not to take Celtic lightly as they prepare to host the Scottish champions at Villa Park. 

The two historic British clubs will meet on Wednesday evening in the UEFA Champions League, and there's an incentive both financially and positionally for whoever triumphs. 

Villa know that a victory over Celtic while scoring two more goals than Bayer Leverkusen should see them finish in the top eight places in the league-phase standings. That secures automatic progression to the knockout stages without having to go through a play-off, which Celtic are already guaranteed to fall into. 

It's all to play for and that's why Agbonlahor, who is Villa's all-time to scorer in the English Premier League with 86 goals, believes the two teams will strive to go right at it from the first whistle.

(Image: Nick Potts - PA) Discussing the upcoming fixture on the talkSPORT breakfast show, the former Villa forward said: "The game tonight, Aston Villa fans have to be aware that this isn't going to be a walk in the park.


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"We talk about financials, it's £1.8million for a win, so if you're Celtic you are looking at this like 'yes we are guaranteed top 24 but if we can get a win at Villa Park, then what would that do for the finances of Celtic?'.

"It's a massive, massive game. I've been thinking all morning that these games between English teams and Scottish teams are just games that don't come around often, but when they do they are massive occasions. 

"Aston Villa have to win. And they don't just have to win, they have to try and score goals because if you are aware Bayer Leverkusen have got Sparta Prague at home and they have one goal better goal difference than Aston Villa. 

"So, Aston Villa have to score two more goals than Leverkusen tonight and that will guarantee them top eight."

The extra money that three points could bring to Celtic could help their chances of landing their top targets during the January transfer window. 

Key striker Kyogo Furuhashi was sold to Rennes for £10million, with Portuguese playmaker Jota coming back to the Glasgow club. 

While, Alex Valle has been allowed to return to Barcelona early from his season-long loan, paving way for the potential arrival of Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney before deadline day. 

Celtic are in the market for a striker and potential wide-options.

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