Unai Emery isn’t taking anything for granted against Celtic, saying that the Champions League thumpings his Paris Saint Germain side dished out to the Scottish champions will count for nothing when he welcomes Brendan Rodgers and his men to Villa Park.

Emery was the PSG manager when the star-studded French side dished out 7-1 and 5-0 beatings to Celtic back in 2017, but the Aston Villa manager says he has nothing but respect for the current Celtic team and their manager after their achievements in this season’s competition.

Emery was also in charge of Spartak Moscow when Celtic won 3-2 against his side in the Champions League group stage in the Luzhniki Stadium in 2012, but he says that his past history against tomorrow night’s opponents will mean little when they meet again.

“We are facing a prestigious club – a club that has won the Champions League before,” Emery said.

“We are excited for our supporters to have a match like this to enjoy.

“It’s a very good opponent and a special rivalry for the supporters. Although it’s at Villa Park, I know there will be a lot of Celtic supporters here.

“I played against Celtic with other clubs – but it doesn’t matter for this one.

“Brendan Rodgers is a fantastic coach. He’s shown it at Leicester and of course Celtic, but also going back to Swansea and Liverpool.

“The last time we were together it was at Leicester City and it was always difficult against teams he managed.

“It was a different moment with PSG, with different teams. I also played Celtic with Spartak and that was a different moment too.

“This time we will respect them. They are a winning team, and they have a winning mentality. They are used to winning every week in the league.

“They have experience, international players, and they will be feeling confident coming here to face us.

“They will feel they can get close to us in terms of performances. I have analysed them, and they are in this position because they have a good coach and good players.

“The have players who now feel like Champions League players. We will need to be ready for that at the start of the match.

“I have analysed them and watched their matches in this competition. I have no doubt they will come here trying to beat us.”

Aston Villa captain John McGinn was of course a boyhood Celtic fan, but Emery is expecting his captain to be fully focused on getting the win that will be required if his side are to have any chance of finishing in the top eight of the league phase.

“It’s maybe a special match for him – but it’s special for me too and I’m not Scottish,” he said.

“It’s always special being involved in Europe. For him, he has that same mentality. It was special against Young Boys in the first game and this will be special as well.

“Firstly, professionally, I want the best from him on the pitch and to play.

“Personally, as a captain we can have a relationship and a respect for one another. But most importantly it is how he plays.

“We have 13 points and have the possibility of finishing in the top eight – we have done fantastically well in the competition.

“Of course I want to be in the top eight. Last week I was a bit pessimistic after the Monaco game but I am more positive.

“It’s not in our hands but we have to win and see. We are excited and motivated.”