Rogers scores hat-trick as hosts safe top-eight place

Aston Villa secured automated qualification for the Champions League spherical of 16 tonight – albeit through a circuitous route after repelling a Celtic comeback to clinch a 4-2 victory at Villa Park.

Morgan Rogers was the hero with a hat-trick with the opposite objective coming from Ollie Watkins, the topic of a reported £60million bid from Arsenal earlier within the day.

Watkins additionally botched a penalty however it mattered not as Villa squeezed house after which needed to wait nervously for affirmation of Atalanta’s 2-2 draw at Barcelona earlier than the celebrations may actually start.

The win noticed Villa transfer into the highest eight of the brand new league section alongside Lille with AC Milan and Atalanta slipping into the playoffs.

A top-eight end means we’ll see you within the Champions League Spherical of 16, Villans 💜 pic.twitter.com/veTwbduOPp

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 29, 2025

Celtic completed in twenty first place however they have been valiant in defeat, hitting again from conceding twice to Rogers within the opening 5 minutes because of a fast hearth Adam Idah brace earlier than half-time.

Villa come flying out of the traps

An evening of excessive drama began nearly from the primary kick with Villa settling any pre-match nerves inside inside a blistering 5 minutes.

Slightly below three minutes had elapsed when Youri Tielemans slipped in Jacob Ramsey down the left and his cross was inch-perfect for Rogers to fireside previous Kasper Schmeichel.

Celtic have been all at sea and Villa took full benefit by scoring once more from their subsequent assault.

Watkins picked out Rogers and his 20-yard shot flew previous the outstretched arm of Schmeichel and into the highest right-hand nook.

IT’S ROGERS AGAIN! 🔥

A divine begin for Morgan Rogers who delivers two objectives in simply FOUR minutes 👏

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/aKwjXHAanw

— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) January 29, 2025

The goalkeeper will doubtless really feel he may have executed higher and Brendan Rodgers’ frustration would solely have elevated when Reo Hatate latched on to a poor ball from Lucas Digne however may solely place a tame shot straight at Emi Martinez.

It was a uncommon foray ahead for Celtic and Villa quickly regained the higher hand with Ramsey coming inside inches of creating it 3-0 with a close-range shot that got here again off the publish earlier than hitting Schmeichel and flashing simply huge.

An damage to Matty Money, who was changed by John McGinn, did little to halt Villa’s momentum, at the least initially, with Watkins seeing a shot cleared off the road by Alistair Johnston within the thirty second minute after he had cleverly lifted the ball over Schmeichel.

Celtic hit again

It was to show a pivotal second as inside six minutes, Celtic had drawn stage.

Their first objective took place following advantageous work from Greg Taylor down the left together with his cross deflected by boyhood Celtic fan McGinn into the trail of Idah and he confirmed nice flexibility to volley house together with his proper foot.

Having been by far the higher facet, Villa have been rocking and so they conceded once more shortly afterwards. Arne Engels’ intelligent flick launched Hatate and his low cross from the best was swept into the roof of the web by Idah.

CELTIC ARE BACK LEVEL 😎

Adam Idah sees Morgan’s 2 objectives in 4 minutes and raises it to 2 objectives in 2 1/2 minutes 😵

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/37zPaFzsI7

— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) January 29, 2025

After a manic first half, the opening quarter-hour of the second interval was sedate compared with either side seemingly nonetheless catching their breath.

Maybe realizing outcomes elsewhere meant they have been out of the highest eight, Villa needed to reassert their authority and so they did so on the hour mark.

McGinn freed Ramsey and his cross was inch-perfect for Watkins to fireside previous Schmeichel.

Villa have been again the place they wanted to be however they continued to make life tough for themselves. One other mistake from Schmeichel introduced the ball to McGinn and his cross must have been buried by Watkins however the Danish goalkeeper saved his shot with Rogers firing the rebound huge.

Watkins fluffs his traces

A fair larger alternative got here and went after 67 minutes when Auston Trusty fouled Watkins within the space however the England striker slipped when taking the spot-kick and the ball ricocheted off each toes and flew excessive over the bar.

Villa saved coming and Schmeichel did effectively after 71 minutes to maintain out Watkins’ crisp shot together with his outstretched leg.

Watkins then fired into the sidenetting when effectively positioned earlier than Schmeichel produced a trademark sprawling cease to disclaim the previous Brentford man.

The fourth objective lastly got here in stoppage time. 

Watkins 🤝 Rogers

Rogers will get his hattrick to make it 4 objectives for Villa 🔥

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/aanAT3OkD0

— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) January 29, 2025

Substitute Dane Murray slipped and though Schmeichel did sufficient to cease Watkins, Rogers was readily available to attain.

And when information filtered via from Catalonia that Atalanta had been held, the get together bought underway.