Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Aston Villa and Celtic meet in a crunch Champions League fixture with a top-eight finish potentially on the line on what promises to be a dramatic night of European football.
Unai Emery’s side start a busy night just outside of the placings that would secure direct progression to the last 16. Guaranteed at least a play-off place, the hosts can go for broke in search of a victory that may be enough to earn a spot – though they are reliant on those above them slipping up.
Celtic are only one point behind their final matchday opponents as they travel south, so could conceivably finish in the top eight, though will require a win and several other results to go their way.
A night of thrills and spills is surely in store as a controversial new format delivers the sort of entertaining, unpredictable finale that was promised.
Follow all of the latest from Villa Park in our live blog below:
PENALTY! Aston Villa 3-2 Celtic, 64 mins
And now a penalty for Aston Villa! Watkins surges into the box and Trusty lunges in to bring him down.
Referee Clement Turpin points to the spot. Doe Trusty get the ball first? That’s what Celtic are claiming. VAR checks but there’s not enough to overturn so the penalty stands.
Luke Baker29 January 2025 21:27
SAVE! Aston Villa 3-2 Celtic, 62 mins
It should be 4-2! This is crazy game!
Horrific from Celtic as they play out from the back but Schmeichel passes the ball straight to McGinn. He passes to Watkins on the penalty spot but Schmeichel redeems himself by making himself big and brilliantly saving Watkins’s shot
GOAL! Aston Villa 3-2 Celtic (Ollie Watkins, 60 mins)
A superb counter-attack goal and Villa are back in front! Firstly Rogers spins away from a tackle in his own half and lays the ball off to McGinn.
He looks like Engels will nick the ball off him but he stays strong and feeds Ramsey. Suddenly it’s two on one and good selflessness from Ramsey as he squares to Ollie Watkins at the perfect moment and the strike slots home.
A first Champions League goal for the England striker!
Luke Baker29 January 2025 21:22
Aston Villa 2-2 Celtic, 58 mins
Villa win a free-kick about 35 yards out. Tielemans dinks it into the box but Trusty gets his head on it and Kuhn clears.
Luke Baker29 January 2025 21:20
CLOSE! Aston Villa 2-2 Celtic, 55 mins
Bailey tries to slip in Watkins but good strength by Trusty who gets his body across and clears the ball. The England international was in on goal otherwise.
Villa then pinch the ball back from the throw-in as Engels is caught in possession and Rogers fires a shot at goal but it’s inches wide with Schmeichel sprawling. He’s on a hat-trick, remember.
Luke Baker29 January 2025 21:17
Aston Villa 2-2 Celtic, 51 mins
Bailey again wriggles into some space down the right and lays the ball back. McGinn and Rogers involved but as the ball is slid into the box, Taylor brilliantly intercepts to save Celtic
Luke Baker29 January 2025 21:13
Aston Villa 2-2 Celtic, 48 mins
A twisting and turning run from Bailey ends with him being chopped down by Hatate but the Japanese star avoid a yellow card. A bit lucky perhaps
Luke Baker29 January 2025 21:11
KICK-OFF! Aston Villa 2-2 Celtic
Back underway in Birmingham. If the second half is anywhere near as good as the first half. we’re in for a treat.
Villa are currently down to 13th in the Champions League table but one goal could change everything for them
Luke Baker29 January 2025 21:06
HALF-TIME! Aston Villa 2-2 Celtic
A half-chance for Villa as they win a corner and the ball falls to Konsa int he box but his shot flashes wide. And that’s half-time!
What a half of football! Morgan Rogers had Villa in complete control at 2-0 up inside five minutes before they also hit the post and had a shot cleared off the line.
But then a quickfire Celtic response as Adam Idah scored twice in three minutes towards the end of the half has levelled things up. Who knows what the second 45 will bring?
Luke Baker29 January 2025 20:49
Aston Villa 2-2 Celtic, 45 mins
Three minutes added time at the end of the half. I think we all need half-time to catch our collective breath!
Luke Baker29 January 2025 20:46