‘You have doubts…’ Ally McCoist reacts to Gabby Agbonlahor’s Aston Villa-Celtic claim

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Celtic’s hopes of securing a play-off spot in the Champions League hang in the balance.

Destiny is in Brendan Rodgers’ hands because maximum points from the final two matches guarantee an all-important play-off spot.

Right now, all the talk is about Celtic hosting Young Boys at Parkhead, but there is the small matter of a showdown with Aston Villa on January 29.

In truth, Rodgers doesn’t want to be travelling down to the Midlands needing anything, especially a win, to book their play-off ticket because it’s going to be a rather difficult match.

But Aston Villa themselves have aspirations of their own and that’s booking a possible top-eight spot, so by the time both teams meet, there could still be a lot to play for.

One man who will be ringside for all the action is former Aston Villa striker, Gabby Agbonlahor.

Ally McCoist tells Gabby Agbonlahor he has ‘doubts’ about Aston Villa’s clash against Celtic

Put aside Celtic’s drubbing in Dortmund, the performances have improved on the road in Europe, including keeping back-to-back clean sheets.

That should stand the Bhoys in good stead for the trip down south, with Agbonlahor stating that Villa will ‘fancy’ themselves against a ‘decent’ Celtic side, as he told talkSPORT (21/01/25 at 9:25 am).

But he was told by McCoist that he sounds rather ‘worried’ about the champions of Scotland coming to town.

“You have to respect Unai Emery’s record in Europe and he is going to want to go all the way in the Champions League,” said Jeff Stelling. “He is going to believe it’s possible.”

Agbonlahor responded: “100%. If you look at teams this season, Liverpool are the standout team. Real Madrid aren’t at their best. Bayern Munich have picked up. Barcelona are a threat. In the press conference, Emery wanted to make it clear, ‘let’s just get into the top eight’ – it might take four points to get top eight.”

“I am sure Villa will fancy themselves against a decent Celtic side. What does that set up next Wednesday? Win and you are in the last 16!”

McCoist responded: “I am thinking ahead, you have been thinking about that one. You sound like you have some doubts about Villa beating Celtic there, for a minute.”

Agbonlahor admitted: “Erm, listen, Celtic are a good team. You should know, Ally, shouldn’t you?” McCoist then added: “We beat them comfortably 3-0 the last time we played them.”

How Aston Villa have faired in the Champions League ahead of Celtic clash

On Tuesday night, Villa were in action against Monaco and Emery watched his side suffer a 1-0 defeat, so a top-eight spot has now slipped further away from them.

That makes the Celtic game even more important, although, both of their defeats have come on the road and by a 1-0 scoreline.

On the other side, they are unbeaten at home in Europe, including beating Bayern Munich, so that’s where things become rather difficult for Celtic.