Unai Emery urges Aston Villa to finish the job in 'special' Celtic clash
The two teams meet in their final Champions League league phase match
Unai Emery has called on Aston Villa to finish the job and earn direct qualification to the Champions League last 16.
Villa complete the league phase with a 'Battle of Britain' against Celtic at Villa Park, knowing they could earn a top-eight spot if they win and other results go their way.
That would mean they skip a two-legged play-off round next month and head straight into the last 32 of Europe's elite club competition.
Villa fumbled the opportunity when they lost at Monaco last week, but Emery wants his side to get it done in a "special night".
"I want to be in the top eight and we have the opportunity which is fantastic," Emery said. "Last week I was a little pessimistic. Overall we are doing a fantastic way with 13 points.
"It's not in our hands, but a lot of other teams as well have to win again tomorrow in case we are winning.
"I want to play the match and enjoy it at Villa Park with our supporters. We are excited and motivated.
"The players as well, they are showing us that they are enjoying the Champions League and competing and creating the possibility of a strong atmosphere.
"They are a very prestigious club. They won the Champions League and we are excited and motivated with our supporters.
"We are with 13 points and with the possibility to be in the top eight. We are doing a very fantastic way in the Champions League. Even when we lost against Monaco, we competed more or less in the way I want.
"Tomorrow is a very good opportunity against Celtic to enjoy it here and I know this is a rival match for our supporters as well.
"It is fantastic to play against teams like Celtic. It's a special match.
"I am not from Scotland. But it's very special. To play in Europe, always, is special, very special."
Not having two extra games could be beneficial to Villa as they have a defensive crisis.
They are down to one fit centre-back following injuries to Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings, while Diego Carlos was sold to Fenerbahce last week.
Mings looked like he suffered a serious knee injury in Sunday's draw with West Ham but the prognosis is good, though he is unlikely to be fit against Celtic.
"It's not a big injury but every day is going to be very important how he can feel better or worse," Emery added.
"We are going to train this afternoon, I will ask him how he is feeling and of course we have one more day.
"We are playing a lot of matches, these are the opportunities we have. His injury is not a big injury and maybe he's not feeling so bad or painful now to be ready for tomorrow, I don't know."
Jacob Ramsey admits the game will be a "pinch-me" moment.
The 23-year-old joined Villa as an eight-year-old and did not envisage featuring in such nights for the club.
"Any Champions League game is going to be a big game, especially at Villa Park," he said. "Tomorrow we need three points for automatic qualification. It will be a tough match, I'm sure it will be a great atmosphere and a good game.
"Personally, I've come from the academy, signing for Villa at eight years old to now playing in the Champions League as a 23-year-old at Villa Park, my family and friends will be at the stadium so when the music comes on I will be looking up to my friends and family.
"It's a pinch-me moment really, but after that it's full focus on the game."
--
Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.