Aston Villa return to the Champions League ahead of the new season with a chance to showcase their qualities against the elite.
Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic have been used to this feeling, but not that taste of getting past the group stages.
There is a change in the Champions League format for the 2024/25 campaign, with more games to be played.
From a financial perspective, Aston Villa have entered the tournament at the right time because there is now more money on show.
But that doesn’t hide the fact that Unai Emery doesn’t have an almighty task on his hands because things could get pretty tasty from here.
The date for Aston Villa and Celtic fans to note down is August 29 because that’s when the Champions League draw will take place.
Unless you are one of the absolute best teams on the planet, on one hand, you want a fairly easy draw, but on the other, you want to be pitted against the best of the best.
Gabby Agbonlahor was sharing who he is hoping Aston Villa draw and the obvious name of Real Madrid was put on the table.
They are the team in Europe and the current holders, so whether it’s at Villa Park or the Bernabeu, it would be a game to remember for those in Claret & Blue.
But Agbonlahor also dropped the name of Celtic by stating ‘imagine that’, as he told talkSPORT.
It would be epic if boyhood Celtic fan John McGinn were to lead Villa out against the Bhoys and it’s a potential dream tie fans on either side surely would want.
2024/25 Champions League draw
“We are going to go to the San Siro, maybe, and play the big boys,” said Agbonlahor. “The history of the San Siro and then we are coming back and going to Craven Cottage. Trying to get up for them games. It would be difficult.
“We are going to do a Newcastle and beat a big team. If we do, then you won’t hear the end of it. We’d go to Dortmund and get a result. Don’t worry about it. Bayern Munich. Konsa can deal with Harry Kane, any day of the week. This Harry Kane we saw at the Euros. Any Villa fan, they are going to enjoy the journey. Whatever happens. I couldn’t care less, just enjoy it.
“I want the Real Madrid away or Real Madrid at home. But I want the Bernabeu, so Villa fans are able to experience that. Can they get to Dortmund? The yellow wall. Can they get to Inter Milan or AC Milan? Can we get Celtic at Villa Park? Imagine that?! Big game. Lovely!”
Aston Villa’s summer transfer window
Champions League finalist Ian Maatsen joined Villa from Chelsea this summer, after he lost in the final with Borussia Dortmund last season.
That was a statement capture from the Midlands side, but they don’t seem to be stopping there.
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Villa are also keen on signing Joao Felix, another player accustomed to the top end of Europe, so that would be another brilliant capture.
But players like Ollie Watkins will also be looking to light it up in the Champions League after his stellar season last time out.
