I played for Aston Villa and Celtic – this is why Unai Emery’s side can win Champions League

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I played for Aston Villa and Celtic – this is why Unai Emery’s side can win Champions League

Aston Villa play Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday night (8pm) with Unai Emery’s team looking for automatic qualification to the last 16.

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ByIsaac SeelochanSenior Sport Central Audience Writer

15:00, 29 JAN 2025

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Unai Emery at his press conference.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery can guide his team into the Champions League last-16 tonight. (Image: PA)

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Stiliyan Petrov has opened up about his love for Aston Villa and Celtic – as both those teams prepare to face off in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

 

Unai Emery’s side are in with a chance of securing a last 16 spot and avoiding a two-legged play-off if they beat the Scottish champions and other results go their way. Villa currently sit ninth in the league phase table, just a point off the top eight, which would seal a place in the next round proper.

 

Celtic, meanwhile, can’t automatically qualify for the last 16, but Brendan Rodgers’ men have now sealed a play-off place after their late winner against Young Boys last week.

 

READ MORE: Aston Villa star opens up on injury woes, goal drought and Celtic ‘basketball’ fears

 

READ MORE: Brendan Rodgers knows exactly what Celtic should expect from ‘brave’ Aston Villa

 

And Petrov, who made 307 appearances for Celtic and a further 219 for Villa, was on the fence over who he will be supporting at Villa Park when the two teams meet in Europe tonight (8pm).

 

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“I support both teams. I’ve been on social media and sometimes people ask you who you support, Celtic or [Aston] Villa, don’t stay on the fence. When both teams play, I support them both,” he said via Gambling.com.

 

“For me, it’s just about enjoying the game. Both teams are playing very good football, with two great managers. So for me, it’s just to see where my two former teams are standing at the moment.

 

“Seeing them play against each other is just great for football. Two great clubs, two great managers and two great sets of fans. What else could you wish for?”

 

When asked for his best memory from his time at Villa, the Bulgarian replied: “My best memory is probably signing for the club [Aston Villa], because I’d moved from one European winner to another. The fan-base, the players, the quality of the players, and obviously having the opportunity to work with Martin O’Neill, again. He had managed to build a really strong team with great players and personalities.”

 

The 45-year-old also offered hope for Emery’s side in their ambition of emulating the club’s famous 1982 European Cup win this season. “They [Aston Villa] are sitting in a very comfortable position,” he pointed out. “In the knockout stages, anything can happen.”

 

What are your favourite memories of Stiliyan Petrov at Villa Park? You can have your say here.

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