Aston Villa v Celtic – “A massive, massive game,” Gabby Agbonlahor

The Celtic Star

·29 January 2025

Aston Villa v Celtic – “A massive, massive game,” Gabby Agbonlahor

Gabby Agbonlahor reckons that tonight’s match-up between Aston Villa and Celtic is huge for more reason than one…

Auston Trusty and Callum McGregor of Celtic during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 training on January 28, 2025 in Birmingham. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The Hoops face his old club at Villa Park in our final Champions League match of the group phase in Birmingham and Agbonlahor reckons the money on offer in the competition now means it’s a massive boost for both clubs if they can get that win.

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With top eight a real possibility for the home side and Celtic standing to have an outsiders chance to avoid a play-off next month for the Round of 16, it makes for a good contest later this evening. As it’s stands, the Bhoys would be paired with a tough draw but all that can change as results start to take shape the closer we get to full-time across the matches.

Arne Engels of Celtic during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 training on January 28, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The talkSPORT pundit revealed that the potential cash value that’s on offer for a top eight finish and the win could be invaluable to both clubs and therefore, gives this one an added bit of spice and bite. “It’s a must win,” he said. “A massive, massive game. These games between English and Scottish clubs, they don’t come around that often but when they do, they’re massive occasions.”

“Aston Villa have to win and they don’t just have to win, they have to try and score goals. Bayer Leverkusen have Sparta Prague at home and have one goal better goal difference than Aston Villa, so Villa have to score two more goals than Leverkusen and that will guarantee them top eight.”

Greg Taylor of Celtic during the UEFA Champions League training on January 28, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The former England international stated that winning and finishing in the top eight as a result, or as high up as you possibly can, could be the difference in the transfer window this month for either side. “They have to finish top eight it’s not just about avoiding two extra games next month, it’s also financially. If you finish in the top eight, you generate £9.2million in revenue. If you finish in the playoffs and qualify through them, you only get £800,000. So the difference in money, when PSR is so hard on all these teams, it’s massive for Villa. That could be the difference between getting Joao Felix on loan.”

Reo Hatate, Adam Idah and Nicolas Kuhnof Celtic during the UEFA Champions League training on January 28, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Agbonlahor added: “As for the game tonight, the Villa players have to be aware that this isn’t going to be a walk in the park. When we talk about the financials, it’s £1.8m per win. If you’re Celtic, you look at this knowing you’re guaranteed top 24 but an get a win at Villa Park. What does that do for the finances at Celtic?”

Paul Gillespie

Jota spoke to The Celtic Star and a few other Celtic fan media sites earlier this week at Celtic Park. Conor Spence from The Celtic Star asked the first three questions…

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