Champions League: Aston Villa 4 Celtic 2 - Villa through to knockout stages

The 22-year-old forward became the first player in the competition’s history to score twice in the opening five minutes of a match and later completed his hat-trick as Villa beat Celtic 4-2 in a pulsating Battle of Britain.

In between Unai Emery’s team blew a two-goal lead in the space of three minutes when Adam Idah netted twice in quick succession, while Watkins scored, missed a penalty and saw several chances saved by Hoops keeper Kasper Schmeichel hours after it emerged he was subject of a rejected £60million bid from Arsenal.

Watkins is certain to stay at Villa but Duran is not. The Colombia international was an unused substitute and is expected to undergo a medical tomorrow ahead of a £65m move to Al-Nassr.

That story, which broke just as Rogers was putting Villa two to the good, quickly became a sideshow on a breathless night.

The prize for Villa was two-fold. They will now skip next month’s play-off round and also bag £9.2million in prize money for reaching the last-16.

Duran and Watkins dominated the discourse in the build-up to kick-off but In terms of the actual game, the talk had been who would partner Ezri Konsa in central defence with Tyrone Mings absent with a knee injury.

In terms of the actual game the talk had been who would partner Ezri Konsa in central defence with Tyrone Mings absent with a knee injury.

Yet it was the Celtic backline breached twice inside the opening 250 seconds as Villa made a blistering start.

Lucas Digne, playing at left-back with Kamara the man pushed into central defence, played in Jacob Ramsey and his cross was slammed home by Rogers.

It was the perfect start which then became a dream start as Villa won possession deep in the opposition half, Lamare Bogarde found Rogers and his shot from 20 yards out took a nick off Liam Scales to beat Schmeichel. Villa Park was a cauldron of noise.

Reo Hatate had the chance to temper the celebrations but shot chipped a finish straight into the arms of Martinez after pouncing on a loose Digne pass.

Villa looked like running away with it. Ramsey hit the post and the ball hit Schmeichel’s foot before spinning into the arms of the keeper. Alistair Johnston then cleared off the line from Watkins after Villa had cut the visitors apart with a flowing move.

The striker wore a rueful smile after that. For Villa, it was almost too easy but then it was Celtic’s turn to score two quickfire goals, as the night took a twist.

McGinn, who had replaced the injured Matty Cash, dived in to block Greg Taylor’s cross but only succeeded in sending it into the path of Idah, who hooked in an instinctive finish.

Three minutes later the scores were level. Hatate crossed low from the right and Idah finished high into the net. Villa Park was stunned.

Konsa pulled an effort wide just on the stroke of half-time, while Rogers sent an effort off target early in the second period.

On the hour mark, VIlla were back ahead. The move began with Kamara chipping the ball out of his own box, with Rogers and then McGinn showing great strength before the latter sent Ramsey running clear. He squared for Watkins to sweep home.

Villa had chances to put the game to bed soon after. Schmeichel denied Watkins with a one-handed save after the keeper had lost possession.

The host were then awarded a penalty when Auston Trusty was rather harshly adjudged to have fouled Watkins. But the striker slipped while taking it and his effort ballooned over the bar.

Watkins looked bewildered as he picked himself off the ground but was soon back in the action, testing Schmeichel again with a low effort the keeper saved with his legs.

The former Leicester man then saved from Rogers after a brilliant pass from Leon Bailey had sent him through on goal.

He was finally beaten again in stoppage time, Watkins robbing a napping Murray to lay on the most simple of goals.

Villa (4-2-3-1): Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Kamara, Digne (Maatsen 74), Tielemans, Bogarde, Bailey, Rogers, Ramsey, Watkins Subs not used: Nedeljkovic, Maatsen, Patterson, Swinkels, McGinn, Duran, Young, Zych (gk), Olsen (gk).

Celtic (4-3-3): Schmeichel, Johnston, Scales (Murray 83), Trusty, Taylor, Engels (Bernardo 73), McGregor, Hatate (McCowan 83), Kuhn, Idah (Cummings 79), Yang (Palma 73) Subs not used: Nawrocki, Montgomery, Ralston, Sinisalo (gk), Bain (gk).