Unai Emery has urged his Aston Villa players to become Champions League protagonists ahead of their final league phase match against Celtic on Wednesday.

Unai Emery’s men will be hoping they can leapfrog into guaranteed automatic qualification as they sit just outside the top eight.

Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Arsenal called to enquire about Duran recently, and we think the forward would be a great addition at the Emirates. Emery has waxed lyrical about Duran, and one comment he made about the striker in October is exactly why Arsenal should sign him.

Aston Villa have become very adept problem solvers. Faced with ground to make up to comply with Profitability & Sustainability Rules in the summer, their succession planning in signing Youri Tielemans meant Douglas Luiz could be sold. Such detailed planning ahead means their midfield has barely missed a beat.

Unai Emery has rejected rumours Aston Villa might take their ... That's important because we will play fewer matches. We beat Bayern Munich at home, Leipzig away but we lost to Bruges. That is the Champions League. Tuesday is the key.

Plus, how three French teams can get byes, and how one Italian rival could knock another out of the top eight, and more

Tyrone Mings suffered a knee injury in the first half and was forced off, leaving Villa with only one fit recognised centre-back in Ezri Konsa. West Ham left-back Emerson headed in on the 70th minute to level the game up and Villa were unable to respond with a winner.

Unai Emery claims he made a mistake playing Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran together during Aston Villa’s Champions League defeat to Monaco. The Aston Villa boss was ruing his own

Aston Villas Unai Emery reassures fans about squad depth ahead of Celtic match, despite Tyrone Mings injury concerns.

“Of course, they [Celtic] are a very prestigious club, they’ve won the Champions League as well,” noted Emery to Celtic’s success in 1967. “We are excited and motivated to enjoy with our supporters in this way.

Unai Emery sat down with the media at Bodymoor Heath ahead of Aston Villa's final Champions League league phase clash against Celtic on Wednesday night. Villa can finish in the top eight of the league phase table if they beat the Scottish champions and other results go their way. Here is every word Emery said in his pre-match press conference...

Foyth Back in the Premier League?Aston Villa’s ambitions under Unai Emery continue to rise, and their recent interest in Villarreal defender Juan Foyth is a