Aston Villa host Celtic in a crucial Champions League clash, with both targeting a top-eight finish. Villa’s home form and Celtic’s away struggles suggest Villa hold the upper hand. Don’t miss our match preview for all the details on this crucial Champions League game, and read on for our 41/1 Bet Builder tip below to make the most of the several betting opportunities available.
The Bet Builder has been priced by BetVictor, where new customers can sign up for a huge welcome bonus offer by clicking on the button below.
Aston Villa/Aston Villa (Half Time/Full Time)
Aston Villa’s remarkable home form has turned Villa Park into one of the most daunting grounds for visitors this season. Even with some defensive absentees, such as Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres, Villa’s ability to start strongly has been a hallmark of their success. In their last home game against West Ham, Jacob Ramsey’s early strike set the tone, and Villa never looked back. This trend is likely to continue against Celtic, a side that have struggled on their travels in the Champions League, conceding seven goals in just three away matches.
Celtic’s issues are compounded by the suspension of Daizen Maeda and the absence of Kyogo Furuhashi, both key players in their attacking setup. Brendan Rodgers’ options are further limited by injuries to James Forrest and Odin Thiago Holm, leaving Celtic’s midfield creativity and forward line significantly weakened. While Celtic have managed to collect points against lower-ranked sides this season, they’ve consistently faltered against teams of Villa’s calibre.
Villa, in contrast, boast an attacking lineup that should overwhelm Celtic’s defence. Leon Bailey and Jacob Ramsey bring pace and trickery, while John McGinn’s return adds steel and leadership in midfield. As BettingTips4You.com expert Herrin Kendrick notes: “Villa’s record at home speaks for itself, and their tendency to start on the front foot is undeniable. Against a Celtic side that often falters away from Glasgow, Villa are well-placed to dominate both halves of this encounter.”
Expect Villa to set the tempo early, exploiting Celtic’s frailties and maintaining control throughout the game. A win in both halves not only seems plausible but feels likely, given the mismatch in form and squad depth.
New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. T&Cs apply. | 18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 18.10.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply. #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org | New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 football, 1 x £10 horse racing & 2 x £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply. #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org | Open Account Offer – New Customers only. Bet £10 and get £50 in Free Bets when you join bet365. Sign up, deposit between £5 and £10 to your account and bet365 will give you five times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value settle. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs , time limits & exclusions apply. Registration Required. #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org | 18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 at odds 2.00+ within 10 days, no cashout. Get 6x £5 Free Bets, set events at odds 2.00+. 7 day bonus expiry. T&C’s Apply. gambleaware.org | Please Gamble Responsibly. 18+ | GambleAware | #Ad |
Youri Tielemans To Have 1+ Shots On Target
Youri Tielemans might not be the first name that comes to mind when thinking about shots on target, but the Belgian midfielder has quietly been making his presence felt in Villa’s attacking play. Over the last five Premier League matches, Tielemans has registered nine attempts, including one goal, and his willingness to shoot has been evident. In this season’s Champions League campaign, he averages a respectable 1.1 attempts per game.
One of Tielemans’ standout qualities is his accuracy. A significant proportion of his efforts in European competition are either on target or blocked, and his Premier League statistics are even more impressive, with two-thirds of his shots testing the goalkeeper. With Villa likely to dominate possession and create opportunities in Celtic’s half, Tielemans should have a chance to let fly from distance or test the keeper with a well-placed effort.
Given Celtic’s defensive vulnerabilities and Villa’s ability to pin teams back at Villa Park, Tielemans’ shooting ability could come into play, especially with the midfield likely to have space to operate. As a value option in the Bet Builder, backing Tielemans to record at least one shot on target is a smart move.
Back Our Aston Villa vs Celtic Ultimate Bet Builder Tip Here
Aston Villa vs Celtic Bet Builder Tip @ 16/1 | |
Reasoning Aston Villa’s strong home form and Celtic’s poor away record make Villa dominant in both halves. Tielemans thrives in midfield for shots, while Johnston’s defensive struggles increase his booking likelihood. | |
Alistair Johnston To Be Shown A Card
Celtic full-back Alistair Johnston could be in for a difficult evening at Villa Park. Tasked with containing the dual threat of Jacob Ramsey and Lucas Digne on Villa’s left flank, Johnston is likely to find himself under constant pressure. His disciplinary record in Europe suggests he’s no stranger to the referee’s book, having picked up two yellow cards in seven Champions League appearances. Add to that his Premiership tally of two bookings, and it becomes clear that Johnston operates on the edge.
The numbers back up this prediction, with Johnston averaging 0.9 fouls per game in this competition. Against Villa’s dynamic wide players, those numbers could increase, particularly if Celtic find themselves chasing the game. Ramsey’s pace and directness, combined with Digne’s overlapping runs, are likely to leave Johnston exposed, increasing the likelihood of him committing a tactical foul or mistiming a challenge.
Referees in high-stakes European games often have little tolerance for repeated fouls, and Johnston’s aggressive style could land him in trouble. For those looking to add a more defensive-focused bet to their Bet Builder, Johnston to be shown a card offers both value and logic.
Enhance your betting game with our daily free betting tips, predictions, and accumulators.
For more betting tips and news, check out:
Don’t forget to visit our Free Bets page for the best possible value from our Today’s Football Predictions, as well as our Predictions for Tomorrow’s Football Predictions.