Morgan Rogers fired Aston Villa into the Champions League last 16 with a stunning hat-trick in a thrilling 4-2 victory over Celtic on Wednesday.
Unai Emery’s side needed a win in the ‘Battle of Britain’ at Villa Park to secure automatic qualification with a top-eight finish in the league phase.
They got off to a flying start as Rogers became the first player to score twice in the opening five minutes of a Champions League match.
Celtic striker Adam Idah, ending a 14-game goal drought, netted twice in quick succession before half-time to level the match.
Just hours after reports emerged of a £60 million bid from Arsenal for Ollie Watkins, the Villa forward restored his side’s lead after the break.
Watkins later missed a penalty, but Rogers sealed victory in stoppage time with the first hat-trick of his career, securing eighth place for Villa.
After the final whistle, Villa’s players anxiously checked other results before celebrating their return to the Champions League knockout stages for the first time since 1982-83.
Villa will now await the winners of the play-off ties featuring teams ranked ninth to 24th in the league phase.
Back in Europe’s elite competition, Villa have already marked their return with a memorable victory over Bayern Munich earlier this season.
Scottish champions Celtic had already secured a place in February’s play-off round and finished 21st. They will face holders Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, with the draw set for Friday.
A raucous atmosphere at Villa Park was set by the Holte End, where fans unveiled a Tifo banner of Ozzy Osbourne, the Black Sabbath frontman and lifelong Villa supporter.
Blistering Start for Villa
In the first-ever competitive meeting between the clubs, Rogers made sure Villa fans had little to worry about with an explosive start.
Jacob Ramsey surged into the Celtic box in the third minute and teed up Rogers, who clinically slotted past Kasper Schmeichel from 12 yards.
Villa doubled their lead soon after when Watkins found Rogers on the edge of the area, and his strike, taking a slight deflection, arrowed into the top corner.
John McGinn, a boyhood Celtic supporter, inadvertently helped spark the visitors’ comeback in the 36th minute when his attempted block fell to Idah, who twisted to hook home.
Just 145 seconds later, Celtic were level as Reo Hatate’s slick pass set up Idah to fire into the roof of the net, making him the first Republic of Ireland player to score twice in a Champions League match since Ronnie Whelan in 1984.
Villa Respond to Seal Victory
Shell-shocked Villa regrouped at half-time, and their renewed pressure paid off on the hour mark.
Ramsey burst forward on McGinn’s pass and squared for Watkins, who smashed home from 12 yards to restore Villa’s lead.
Watkins then squandered a chance to put the result beyond doubt, slipping as he struck a penalty wide following Auston Trusty’s foul.
Fortunately for Watkins, Villa’s dominance was confirmed in stoppage time as Rogers completed his treble with a composed close-range finish, securing a famous night for the 1982 European Cup winners.