Unai Emery has a masterplan for Aston Villa ahead of facing Celtic next week in the Champions League.
Brendan Rodgers‘ side know a win over Young Boys tomorrow in the competition would essentially guarantee Celtic a spot in the knockout playoff round.
It has been a stellar campaign for the Scottish Premiership giants who have earned big wins over RB Leipzig as well as impressive points against Atalanta in Bergamo and Dinamo in Croatia.
The Hoops were fired a warning by Young Boys’ boss Giorgio Contini but that Swiss caution looked foolish after they failed to beat Winterthur at home last weekend.
Either way, Celtic will be desperate to keep their ambitions in their own hands with a positive performance and result against their opponents at Parkhead tomorrow evening.
How many points Celtic need to qualify for knockout playoff
With Villa their final matchday eight opponents down south in Birmingham, Celts will know how tough their last fixture could prove to be with Emery’s side currently sitting eighth in the Premier League and just four points off the top four.
So their manager’s words should come as an ominous preview should Rodgers and his troops fail to get the job done in Glasgow.
The Spanish coach – a European competition machine with four Europa League winners’ medals and one runners up medal – understands these tournaments more than most.
And he certainly won’t be leaving anything to chance as he demanded points from both their final games including this evening against AS Monaco and then next Wednesday vs Celtic.
That’s why points need to be picked up by Rodgers’ squad in front of what will be a packed out house at Celtic Park tomorrow in the 8pm kick-off.
The number expected to see a team through is 12 points with Celts currently sitting on nine.
Emery’s warning over Aston Villa’s points tally before Celtic clash
“I think we need three or four more points to get into the top eight,” Emery said when analysing what his side must to do have the best chance in the next round.
“That’s important because we will play fewer matches. We beat Bayern Munich at home, Leipzig away but we lost to Brugges.
“That is the Champions League. Tuesday is the key. They are an experienced club in this competition.
“They can get to 16 points, maybe they could be in the top eight. Seventeen points is what I think teams will need to reach it.
“With 19 points we are sure we will be there.”
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