There were storylines across all 18 simultaneous kick-offs – not to mention 64 goals in total – but Aston Villa and Lille securing automatic qualification for the round of 16, as well as Manchester City coming from the elimination zone to reach the knockout phase play-offs, were among the headlines. UEFA.com rounds up all the action.

But for every top team underperforming, there's an underdog seizing their moment and taking their place. And during this phase, Aston Villa, Lille, Brest, Celtic and Club Brugge certainly rose to the occasion as they all secured unexpected placings in the next round.

Aston Villa take on Celtic at Villa Park in the final round of fixtures in the Champions League ’s initial league phase, with an automatic qualification place potentially on the line. Unai Emery ’s side sit in ninth at the start of the day and just one point behind Bayer Leverkusen, who occupy the final automatic qualification spot.

Analysis of a frenetic clash that saw Villa prevail and book their place in the Champions League's knockout phase

By Peter Hall BIRMINGHAM, England (Reuters) -A hat-trick from Morgan Rogers helped Aston Villa to seal a spot in the Champions League last 16 with a thrilling 4-2 win over Celtic on Wednesday. Needing victory in their final league-phase match to seal an automatic qualification spot for the knockout stages,

Morgan Rogers scored a hat trick and Aston Villa overcame a blown two-goal, fifth-minute lead to seal a bye to the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds after a 4-2 win over Celtic on Wednesday at Villa Park.