Aston Villa booked their place in the Champions League round of 16 in unforgettable fashion, with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Celtic on Wednesday evening.
A sensational hat-trick from Morgan Rogers stole the show, with Ollie Watkins also netting his first Champions League goal on another memorable European night under the lights at Villa Park.
Results elsewhere meant that Villa, despite starting the day in ninth, finished the league phase in the table's top eight, automatically advancing straight to the last 16, with fixtures to be played in March.
From breaking more records on the biggest stage, to another incredible pre-match tifo banner display, here are seven talking points from a crazy evening in B6...
Sharon!!!
Ozzy Osbourne tifo banner unravelled in the Holte End Ozzy Osbourne tifo banner unravelled in the Holte End Ozzy Osbourne tifo banner unravelled in the Holte End Ozzy Osbourne tifo banner unravelled in the Holte End Ozzy Osbourne tifo banner unravelled in the Holte End Ozzy Osbourne tifo banner unravelled in the Holte End Ozzy Osbourne tifo banner unravelled in the Holte End Ozzy Osbourne tifo banner unravelled in the Holte End Ozzy Osbourne tifo banner unravelled in the Holte End Ozzy Osbourne tifo banner unravelled in the Holte End Ozzy Osbourne tifo banner unravelled in the Holte End
Ahead of kick-off, another breathtaking tifo was unveiled in the Holte End, this time featuring the one and only Ozzy Osbourne.
The Prince of Darkness adorned the banner in a Villa shirt, which also told stories of previous tifos in B6, contained illustrations of iconic landmarks in Birmingham and aptly read ‘Up the Villa’.
The awe-inspiring display only added to an already incredible spectacle at Villa Park, with atmosphere at fever pitch as ‘Allez, Allez, Allez’ rang around the stands and the players took to the field on what was to be another unforgettable Champions League night under the lights.
What a start!
Two goals in the opening five minutes for Villa Two goals in the opening five minutes for Villa Two goals in the opening five minutes for Villa Two goals in the opening five minutes for Villa Two goals in the opening five minutes for Villa Two goals in the opening five minutes for Villa Two goals in the opening five minutes for Villa Two goals in the opening five minutes for Villa Two goals in the opening five minutes for Villa Two goals in the opening five minutes for Villa Two goals in the opening five minutes for Villa
Less than three minutes were required for the roof to be raised in B6. Two minutes and 33 seconds, to be precise – the fastest goal Villa have scored in the Champions League, beating John McGinn’s opener in Leipzig just before Christmas by a single second.
Jacob Ramsey did brilliantly to dart to the byline and pull the ball back across goal, where Morgan Rogers was waiting to hammer home his first goal in the Champions League.
For Emery’s men, it was the perfect start under the lights, as Villa Park erupted.
Morgan makes history
Morgan Rogers made history in the Champions League Morgan Rogers made history in the Champions League Morgan Rogers made history in the Champions League Morgan Rogers made history in the Champions League Morgan Rogers made history in the Champions League Morgan Rogers made history in the Champions League Morgan Rogers made history in the Champions League Morgan Rogers made history in the Champions League Morgan Rogers made history in the Champions League Morgan Rogers made history in the Champions League Morgan Rogers made history in the Champions League
Without a goal in this Champions League campaign after seven outings, Morgan quickly settled any Villa nerves with his first in the competition after three minutes.
But he wasn’t done there. Just moments later, he took Ollie Watkins’ pass and let fly from the edge of the area, with a deflection off Liam Scales taking the effort beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel and into the top corner.
His early, quickfire brace made him the first player in history to score twice in the opening five minutes of a Champions League fixture.
And if that wasn’t enough, he sealed his treble in customary, ice-cold fashion in stoppage time, capping off a magnificent, Player of the Match performance, while becoming just the second Aston Villa player to score a hat-trick in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League after the late, great Gary Shaw – against Dinamo Bucharest in November 1982.
Lamare’s versatility
Lamare Bogarde was deployed both in midfield and at right-back Lamare Bogarde was deployed both in midfield and at right-back Lamare Bogarde was deployed both in midfield and at right-back Lamare Bogarde was deployed both in midfield and at right-back Lamare Bogarde was deployed both in midfield and at right-back Lamare Bogarde was deployed both in midfield and at right-back Lamare Bogarde was deployed both in midfield and at right-back Lamare Bogarde was deployed both in midfield and at right-back Lamare Bogarde was deployed both in midfield and at right-back Lamare Bogarde was deployed both in midfield and at right-back
With Tyrone Mings in attendance in the home dugout, but not fit enough to play, Lamare Bogarde began in midfield, with Boubacar Kamara starting in the centre of defence.
The 21-year-old looked comfortable and composed in the middle of the park, until Matty Cash was forced off through injury after half an hour.
On came John McGinn in midfield, meaning Bogarde filled Cash’s spot at right-back. The Dutchman was equally as impressive, containing the threat of Hyun-Jun Yang and helping the Villans to victory.
Ollie’s first in the Champions League
Ollie Watkins also bagged his first Champions League goal Ollie Watkins also bagged his first Champions League goal Ollie Watkins also bagged his first Champions League goal Ollie Watkins also bagged his first Champions League goal Ollie Watkins also bagged his first Champions League goal Ollie Watkins also bagged his first Champions League goal Ollie Watkins also bagged his first Champions League goal Ollie Watkins also bagged his first Champions League goal Ollie Watkins also bagged his first Champions League goal Ollie Watkins also bagged his first Champions League goal Ollie Watkins also bagged his first Champions League goal
Morgan Rogers wasn’t the only Villan to open his account in the Champions League, as Ollie Watkins stepped up with an hour on the clock to notch Villa’s third.
It was fantastic play on the counter-attack from McGinn, who turned his man on the halfway line before setting Ramsey free.
With one assist already to his name, JJ squared for Ollie, who finished with aplomb for his first goal in the competition.
All’s well that ends well
Morgan completed his hat-trick in stoppage time to seal victory Morgan completed his hat-trick in stoppage time to seal victory Morgan completed his hat-trick in stoppage time to seal victory Morgan completed his hat-trick in stoppage time to seal victory Morgan completed his hat-trick in stoppage time to seal victory Morgan completed his hat-trick in stoppage time to seal victory Morgan completed his hat-trick in stoppage time to seal victory Morgan completed his hat-trick in stoppage time to seal victory Morgan completed his hat-trick in stoppage time to seal victory Morgan completed his hat-trick in stoppage time to seal victory Morgan completed his hat-trick in stoppage time to seal victory Morgan completed his hat-trick in stoppage time to seal victory Morgan completed his hat-trick in stoppage time to seal victory
Adam Idah’s quickfire double before the break stunned Villa, who – having raced into an early two-goal lead – found themselves back level after the first 45 minutes.
But the half-time break allowed Emery’s charges to regroup, coming back out for the second period with a vengeance, attacking towards the Holte End with purpose.
Ollie’s third on the hour edged the hosts back in front, before another twist minutes later saw Watkins slip when taking a penalty, missing the opportunity to put Villa 4-2 up.
But the England international did play a pivotal role in helping the Villans seal the deal in stoppage time, battling brilliantly to feed Morgan Rogers, who did the rest, rounding Kasper Schmeichel to complete his hat-trick, and tie up a famous win.
Round of 16, here we come!
Full-time scenes as Villa secured their place in the last 16 Full-time scenes as Villa secured their place in the last 16 Full-time scenes as Villa secured their place in the last 16 Full-time scenes as Villa secured their place in the last 16 Full-time scenes as Villa secured their place in the last 16 Full-time scenes as Villa secured their place in the last 16 Full-time scenes as Villa secured their place in the last 16 Full-time scenes as Villa secured their place in the last 16 Full-time scenes as Villa secured their place in the last 16 Full-time scenes as Villa secured their place in the last 16 Full-time scenes as Villa secured their place in the last 16 Full-time scenes as Villa secured their place in the last 16 Full-time scenes as Villa secured their place in the last 16 Full-time scenes as Villa secured their place in the last 16
A thrilling 4-2 victory made sure of the all-important three points on home soil, and results elsewhere meant Villa finished the league phase eighth in the table.
A remarkable record of five wins, one draw and two defeats sent us straight through to the last 16, skipping the round of 32 play-off for sides who finished ninth to 24th.
With the draw for the last 16 set to take place towards the end of February, ahead of first and second-leg fixtures in March, there is plenty for the Villa faithful to continue to look forward to, as this special season continues.
Up the EuroVilla! 💜
We can't show you this embedded content because you've only accepted 'essential' cookies. To view it, please accept all cookies