The newly revamped format for the UCL has been greeted warmly by the football fans as it has thrown up an array of shocks, intrigue, stakes and generally given the competition a fresh coat of paint that it long needed.
As the league phase draws to a conclusion, all 36 teams will play at the same time in midweek, with plenty of ramifications. Aston Villa and Celtic are two of many teams with huge incentives to win their final match.
Three points for either of these historic clubs could see them achieve a top-eight finish and a ticket into the last 16, with both having already guaranteed safe passage to the knockout phase.
Villa Park promises to be electric for what will surely be one of the picks of the bunch from this UEFA Champions League gameweek eight.
Aston Villa vs Celtic Team News
The hosts are battling with a bit of an injury crisis at centre-back as Tyrone Mings joined Pau Torres on the sidelines when he came off at the weekend.
Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley are still nursing injuries but the midfield is bolstered by the likely return to the starting lineup of John McGinn, who was fit enough to be named on the bench for the draw with West Ham.
Japanese striker Daizen Maeda is suspended after getting sent off against Young Boys last week, but that is not the worst news for Celtic as his countryman Kyogo Furuhashi has sealed a deal with Rennes. The silver lining is that the deal will see Jota move in the opposite direction and return to Celtic Park. However, Jota will be ineligible here.
Not only will Brendan Rodgers have to make do without Kyogo, but he will also be unable to name James Forrest or Odin Thiago Holm as they both suffer through foot and calf injuries respectively.
Aston Villa vs Celtic Possible Lineups
With Unai Emery short of centre-back options, Lucas Digne may be asked to step in from left-back to sit next to Ezri Konsa, while Ian Maatsen could come in to fill the void left on that left flank. Apart from that, they are unlikely to be changed from their 1-1 draw with The Hammers at the weekend, as the coach looks to use his full-strength team in this one.
Aston Villa Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Digne, Maatsen; Tielemans; Kamara, Bailey, Rogers, Ramsey; Watkins.
The big headache for Celtic will come in the front three as they have to live without their Japanese duo Maeda and Kyogo. Expect Luis Palma to come in to replace Maeda out wide and Adam Idah to be the focal point through the middle in the absence of Kyogo.
Celtic Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor; Engels, McGregor, Hatate; Kuhn, Idah, Palma.
Be sure to head back to Sporticos an hour before kick-off to get updated official lineups and other stats.
Aston Villa vs Celtic Prediction
Celtic have enjoyed an outstanding European campaign this season so far. They've recorded famous wins at home and ground out valuable draws on the road, the 7-1 battering away in Dortmund notwithstanding. They will look to do the same here, to keep it tight, and hope to snatch something on the break, especially without their two most potent attacking threats.
Villa have been in patchy form of late and are not firing on all cylinders. They will be desperate to win and try to force their way into the top 8 and they should have just enough to get it done against a resolute Celtic backline.
Prediction: Aston Villa 1-0 Celtic
This should be a fascinating encounter with super high-stakes for both teams and coaches.
Fans in the UK can watch this Aston Villa vs Celtic match on TV or via live streaming with TNT Sports.
