Aston Villavs.Celtic

The Japan international picked up a straight red card during last week's narrow success over Young Boys, leaving him suspended for the final match of the League Phase.

With the 27-year-old out of contention, Brendan Rodgers will need to pick at least one new face to operate in the attacking line, with Irishman Adam Idah representing the most likely candidate.

There are also concerns surrounding the availability of Kyogo Furuhashi, who is edging towards a winter move to French club Rennes before the conclusion of the transfer window.

Despite missing a penalty against the Swiss outfit last time out, Arne Engels should retain his spot in the midfield three alongside veteran Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate.

After keeping back-to-back Champions League clean sheets, Kasper Schmeichel will be looking to repeat the trick in the Second City on Wednesday, with Cameron Carter-Vickers and former Birmingham City loanee Auston Trusty operating as the centre-back pairing.

The Bhoys remain without the services of both James Forrest and Odin Thiago Holm, although Rodgers still possesses a decent array of personnel options for Wednesday's Champions League battle.

Celtic possible starting lineup: Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor; Engels, McGregor, Hatate; Kuhn, Idah, Furuhashi

Written by

Carter White