Aston Villa vs Celtic Predictions: Champions League tips and odds

Our football betting expert has three tips for Wednesday’s Champions League clash between Aston Villa and Celtic at Villa Park (kick-off, 8pm). Scroll down for the analysis behind the selections.

By Jacob Potter

• Under 2.5 Goals @ 11/8 with bet365
• Auston Trusty to be booked @ 9/2 with bet365
• Bet builder – Morgan Rogers to score or assist, half with Most Goals – 2nd & Celtic to get the most corners @ 9/1 with bet365

Expect a tight affair in the West Midlands

Aston Villa are guaranteed a place in the Champions League play-offs, but they could automatically progress to the last-16 if they beat Celtic and Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen all fail to win.

A win for the Bhoys will guarantee a finish between ninth and 16th, securing them a seeded play-off place, while a draw may also be good enough if results elsewhere go their way.

However, it’s hardly been ideal preparation for the Scottish champions, who have lost two of their leading forward players ahead of Wednesday’s clash.

Leading scorer Kyogo Furuhashi – who has 12 goals in all competitions – has joined Rennes, while Daizen Maeda is suspended after his red card in the win over Young Boys last week.

Villa haven’t been in great form going into the all-British tie, with no wins in their last three matches in all competitions. Goals have also been in short supply for Unai Emery’s men, who have scored just four goals in their last four games.

• Aston Villa vs Celtic tip 1: Under 2.5 Goals @ 11/8 with bet365

Auston can be trusted to get a booking

There’s no doubting the experience of Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, but the back four in front of him are pretty raw when it comes to European football.

Their centre-back partnership is likely to be American duo Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty, who helped the Hoops keep a clean sheet in the win over Young Boys.

This will be a different test though for the US pair, with England international Ollie Watkins in good form in recent weeks. Villa’s frontman has bagged twice in the last four matches, including the equaliser in the 2-2 draw at Arsenal two weeks ago. Trusty only made his Champions League debut this season and his ability at this level will be sternly tested by the pacy Watkins.

• Aston Villa vs Celtic tip 2: Auston Trusty to be booked @ 9/2 with bet365

Rogers can help land bet builder

Morgan Rogers has been the big plus of the season to date for Villa, with the former Middlesbrough and Bournemouth man establishing himself as a first-team regular.

The 22-year-old has six goals to his name and four assists in the Premier League, so will provide a threat to the Celtic backline. It’s also worth noting that Villa, who won their first three Champions League games, have been something of a second-half team in recent weeks.

Emery’s men have scored eight goals in their last six matches in all competitions, with seven of those coming after the break. Celtic will feel they can cause problems for Villa from set-pieces and corners could be crucial for the Glasgow giants.

Brendan Rodgers’ men have taken 47 corners in the Champions League, only five teams have had more, and they can beat Villa in this department on Wednesday.

• Aston Villa vs Celtic tip 3: Bet builder – Morgan Rogers to score or assist, half with Most Goals – 2nd & Celtic to get the most corners @ 9/1 with bet365