- Villa secure top-eight spot after seeing off valiant Celtic rally
- Morgan Rogers and Jacob Ramsey dazzle in attack for Emery’s men
- Idah and Hatate stand out as visitors play their part in six-goal epic
A thrilling Battle of Britain clash saw Aston Villa prevail over Celtic in a pulsating six-goal epic at Villa Park.
Who impressed and who struggled in a dramatic European night in Villa Park…
ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1):
EMI MARTINEZ – 5.5: World Cup-winning goalkeeper had little to do apart from picking the ball out of his net for goals he could do little about.
MATTY CASH – 6: Bombed forward early on but withdrawn for Scotland international John McGinn after 30 minutes with suspected calf injury.
EZRI KONSA – 6.5: Could do little about Celtic’s two goals and probably the best player in Aston Villa’s much-changed backline.
BOUBACAR KAMARA – 5.5: Expected to play in holding midfield but stepped in for Tyrone Mings. Sluggish when Celtic upped the tempo.
LUCAS DIGNE – 5: Sloppy error almost opened the door for Hatate to score in first half. Caught napping for Celtic’s second.
Classy Morgan Rogers slams home the opener for Aston Villa in the 4-2 win over Celtic
![Aston Villa boss Unai Emery went through a wide range of emotions on a thrilling evening](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/22/94655201-14339429-image-a-2_1738189482660.jpg)
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery went through a wide range of emotions on a thrilling evening
![Adam Idah smashes home from close-range to make it 2-2 at Villa Park as Celtic rallied](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/22/94655097-14339429-image-a-3_1738189510248.jpg)
Adam Idah smashes home from close-range to make it 2-2 at Villa Park as Celtic rallied
YOURI TIELEMANS – 7: Controlled the tempo of the first 30 minutes. Classy on the ball but let Hatate run off him for Celtic’s second goal.
LAMARE BOGARDE – 6: Switched to full-back when Cash limped off and looked uncomfortable. Was caught out for Celtic’s first goal.
LEON BAILEY – 6.5: Has pace to burn but the end product was missing. Found Rogers with one terrific pass but that was about it.
MORGAN ROGERS – 9.5: Sublime performance. Scored a hat-trick and largely set up the third. Strong, quick and comfortable on the ball. Man of the match.
JACOB RAMSEY – 9: Created the opening goal and had Johnston on toast early on.Teed up Watkins for the third. A constant threat.
OLLIE WATKINS – 7: Subject of a £60m bid from Arsenal, scored the third but slipped when missing a penalty. Physicality troubled Celtic.
SUBSTITUTIONS: McGinn (Cash 30), Digne (Maatsen 74).
MANAGER: UNAI EMERY – 7: Dream start. Sloppiness opened door for Celtic but second-half show secured top-eight spot.
![Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers can be proud of his side's effort despite the 4-2 defeat](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/22/94655213-14339429-image-a-4_1738189554765.jpg)
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers can be proud of his side’s effort despite the 4-2 defeat
CELTIC (4-3-3):
KASPER SCHMEICHEL – 6.5: Powerless for the four goals and played the odd poor pass from the back. Made three big saves in the second half.
ALASTAIR JOHNSTON – 6: Tied in knots by Ramsey for the most part. Made one big goal-line clearance. Tried to get forward and create things.
LIAM SCALES – 4.5: Filled in for Cameron Carter-Vickers. Stepped out too early for Rogers’ second and out of position for the third.
AUSTON TRUSTY – 4.5: Weak header almost gifted a goal and pulled out of position repeatedly. Bullied by the physicality of Watkins.
GREG TAYLOR – 6: Struggled early on but put in the cross for Idah’s first goal. Did well in the main to handle the speed of Bailey.
ARNE ENGELS – 7: £11m man produced a terrific flick to spark the move for 2-2. Worked hard but can take care of the ball much better.
CALLUM McGREGOR – 6.5: Swarmed early on by Villa’s intensity but skipper was key in using all his experience to help steady the ship.
REO HATATE – 8: Was at the heart of Celtic’s two goals. He almost scored with a fine long-range strike. Always willing to receive the ball.
![Rogers' strike deflected off Scales and looped in to put Villa two goals ahead in the fifth minute](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/22/94655157-14339429-image-a-5_1738189596835.jpg)
Rogers’ strike deflected off Scales and looped in to put Villa two goals ahead in the fifth minute
NICOLAS KUHN – 6: Only visiting player to do himself justice early on but failed to have a genuine impact going forward for Celtic.
ADAM IDAH – 8.5: Two clear chances and took both of them. Instinctive finish to make it 2-1 and smashed home the second.
HYUN-JUN YANG – 4.5: Rarely got involved and sadly appears to be out of his depth at this level. Was subbed when McGinn dispossessed him.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Palma (Yang 73), Bernardo (Engels 73), Cummings (Idah 79), McCowan (Hatate 83). Scales (Murray 83).
MANAGER: BRENDAN RODGERS – 6: Found his side 2-0 down after five minutes but side fought back only to be outgunned.
REFEREE: CLEMENT TURPIN (France) – 6: Regarded as one of the best officials in Europe and showed that when letting a frenetic Battle of Britain flow with minimal fuss. But awarded Villa a soft penalty to make it 4-2 when Trusty seemed to get the ball first when challenging Watkins.
ATTENDANCE: N/A.