San Francisco Frontiers - Emery urges Aston Villa to finish the job in Champions League

The former European champions could earn a top-eight spot if they win and other results go their way, with all 36 teams in action at the same time.

That would mean the Birmingham-based club, back in Europe's elite club competition for the first time since the 1982/83 season, would skip the two-legged play-off round next month.

Villa fumbled their opportunity when they lost at Monaco last week, but Emery wants his side to rise to the challenge on a "special night" at Villa Park against the Scottish champions, who are already guaranteed a place in the play-offs.

"I want to be in the top eight and we have the opportunity, which is fantastic," the Villa manager said on Tuesday. "Last week I was a little pessimistic. Overall we are doing a fantastic way with 13 points (from seven games).

"It's not in our hands, but a lot of other teams as well have to win again tomorrow in case we are winning."

Villa are down to one fit centre-back following injuries to Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings, while Diego Carlos was sold to Fenerbahce last week.

There were fears that Mings had 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 said.

"We are going to train this afternoon, I will ask him how he is feeling and of course we have one more day."

H.Reyes--SFF