Emery urges Aston Villa to secure Champions League spot against Celtic

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is urging his team to secure a top-eight spot in the Champions League with a victory against Celtic, which would allow them to skip the play-off round next month. Villa, returning to Europe's elite competition for the first time since 1982/83, needs to win and hopes for favorable results from other matches. The team faced disappointment after a recent loss to Monaco, but Emery remains optimistic, stating that they have performed well overall with 13 points from seven games. However, Villa is struggling with injuries, particularly in defense, with only one fit centre-back available for the crucial match. The manager emphasized the excitement of competing against a prestigious club like Celtic and the importance of maximizing their current squad's potential without additional play-off matches. This match is pivotal not only for their Champions League ambitions but also for maintaining momentum in the Premier League as they continue to seek European qualification for next season.