What is the next step for Aston Villa in the Champions League?

Aston Villa face a decisive showdown against Celtic on Wednesday, with the fate of their automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16 hanging in the balance. This "Battle of Britain" clash is critical as Villa approach the final round of the league phase. Currently sitting ninth in the standings, Unai Emery’s side finds themselves in a tense position, with the top eight teams securing direct entry to the knockout stages. Those finishing between ninth and 24th will be thrust into a nerve-racking play-off round, where the final eight clubs will be determined. Villa are just one point behind eighth-placed Bayer Leverkusen, meaning they will almost certainly need a win over Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic at Villa Park to ensure they avoid the play-offs.

While a draw or loss could leave them with slim hopes of advancing automatically, a victory would guarantee Villa’s spot in the last 16 without having to endure the uncertainty of the play-offs. The stakes couldn’t be higher, as Villa look to seal a place among Europe’s elite teams. With Emery’s men showing strong form in the competition so far, all eyes will be on Villa Park as they take on Celtic, hoping to keep their Champions League dreams alive with a crucial victory that could propel them into the knockout stages.

"It isn't pressure, it's something we deal with every time we step out on to the football pitch, that's no different. We enjoy it. It's obviously a very big game next week, but they all are in their own way," Mings said.

Celtic are guaranteed to finish in a play-off spot after their crucial 1-0 victory over Young Boys in Glasgow last week. However, despite securing their place in the next round, Brendan Rodgers' side, currently in 18th place, is unlikely to take their final match against Aston Villa lightly. Celtic will be aiming to finish as high as possible in the table to potentially avoid a more challenging opponent in the upcoming play-offs.

The Scottish giants also have a point to prove after suffering a heavy 7-1 defeat at Borussia Dortmund, which was the most daunting of their league-phase encounters. That loss raised questions about their ability to compete at the top level, and a strong performance against Villa would serve as a statement of their resilience and quality. A positive result in this "Battle of Britain" clash would silence critics who have suggested that Celtic's progression to the play-offs was aided by a relatively favorable fixture list. With their eyes set on improving their standing, Rodgers' men will be determined to show that their place in the next stage is well-earned, not just a product of an easy run of matches.

Celtic, unbeaten in their last five European matches, will head to Villa Park well-rested after Saturday’s game against Dundee was postponed due to Storm Eowyn’s damage to their stadium. However, Brendan Rodgers' squad will be missing key players, including Japan's Daizen Maeda, who is suspended, and Kyogo Furuhashi, who completed a move to Rennes on Monday. While Jota’s return from Rennes provides some relief, he is ineligible for Wednesday’s match.

Meanwhile, West Midlands Police are on high alert for potential crowd trouble, given the history of volatile clashes between English and Scottish clubs. The fixture comes just six days after Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Rangers in the Europa League, which was marred by violent incidents. There were 39 arrests as Rangers fans infiltrated sections of the stadium designated for United supporters, and disturbances were also reported in the city center. Authorities are keen to prevent similar issues at Villa Park.