Aston Villa 4-2 Celtic

Morgan Rogers bagged a hat-trick as Aston Villa clinched a top-eight finish in the UEFA Champions League following a pulsating 4-2 victory over Celtic on a night full of drama at Villa Park.

Rogers bagged an early brace to put the Villa faithful in dreamland – becoming the first player in history to score twice in the opening five minutes of a Champions League match.

But Celtic themselves duly struck twice in three minutes, Adam Idah with a quickfire double, to ensure an action-packed first half ended all square at the break.

Ollie Watkins fired Villa back in front on the hour mark, his maiden goal in Europe this season, before subsequently sending a penalty over the crossbar having lost his footing.

Rogers then had the final say in injury time, sealing the matchball and player of the match trophy, to settle an unforgettable six-goal thriller - becoming just the second Villan after Gary Shaw to net a treble in Europe's elite club competition.

But the drama was not over as Unai Emery’s side waited on results elsewhere, with Villa Park erupting as we secured eighth place in the league phase standings and a direct route in the round of 16.

It represents an incredible achievement for the Villans, who finished on 16 points from their eight matches and can now look forward to a two-legged knockout tie in March.

Lamare Bogarde was named in Villa’s line-up, his second European start of the season, as manager Emery made one change from last weekend’s Premier League draw against West Ham United.

Villa Park was host to another awe-inspiring pre-match display as fireworks and flames lit up the night sky, supporters made the stands a sea of claret and blue and a tifo of Ozzy Osbourne was raised in front of the Holte End.

But that was just a taster of the entertainment that was to come in the opening five minutes of the first-ever meeting between the two clubs.

The stadium erupted with just three minutes on the clock as Lucas Digne played in Ramsey down the left side of the penalty area and he squared the ball across for Rogers to convert from close range.

And the home faithful were in raptures just two minutes later as Villa’s forceful press recovered possession in a dangerous area, Watkins laid the ball off to Rogers and his 20-yard strike deflected off Liam Scales beyond Kasper Schmeichel into the top corner.

In response, Nicolas Kuhn whistled an effort narrowly wide at the other end before the clash settled down into a rhythm.

And it was Villa who almost added a third in the 25^th minute, Ramsey seeing his low strike rebound off the base of a post, against Schmeichel’s foot and up into the ‘keeper’s hands.

John McGinn replaced the injured Matty Cash before the hosts went even closer just after the half-hour mark, Watkins’ deft finish following a swift counter-attack cleared off the line by Alistair Johnston.

Yet it was the visitors who were firmly back in the encounter courtesy of two quickfire goals to stun Villa Park.

Firstly, Idah was on hand to poke home from close range after Greg Taylor’s cross was diverted into his path, before the Celtic frontman doubled his tally as he converted Reo Hatate’s ball from the opposite side.

The home side recovered from the double setback and Ezri Konsa, who enjoyed a commanding performance, almost capped a breathless opening 45 minutes as he poked narrowly wide just before the break.

Rogers sent an effort off target early in the second half as he chased his hat-trick, with Villa dominating play following the restart.

And it was the hosts who were celebrating on the hour mark as a rampant McGinn found Ramsey, who squared for Watkins and he swept the ball home.

The England international was thwarted by Schmeichel when well placed as the hosts looked to stretch their advantage.

And they were handed an opportunity in the 67^th minute as Watkins was brought down by Auston Trusty in the area, but the striker slipped as he went to strike the spot-kick and saw his penalty rise over the crossbar.

Watkins was again denied by Schmeichel moments later before Hatate drilled narrowly wide for Celtic.

Villa continued to push for a crucial cushion and Watkins fired into the side-netting, before Rogers completed his hat-trick with a composed finish after superb work from his team-mate.

Those present inside the stadium were then made to hold their breath as results elsewhere confirmed Villa’s place in the last 16 – capping a memorable night.