Aston Villa stars stood for a frightening waiting after their dramatic victory over Celtic on Wednesday evening.
Players pressed around the phone of a coach to see the results coming in from the other Champions League matches of the evening.
Villa started the night in the qualifying places for the last 16 of the competition.
The top 8 games in the renewed Champions League table go directly into the knockouts without the need for a play -off.
A brilliant hat trick from Morgan Rogers helped Villa to all three points.
But they were forced in a painful wait to see if Atalanta could steal a winner against Barcelona.
She would have seen a goal for the Serie A Villa to the top 8, so that Unai Emery's silk to the play -off of target difference was banned.
Barcelona held on, which resulted in jubilant scenes both on the field and terraces in Villa Park.
They will now be confronted with Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting Lisbon or Club Brugge in the last 16.
A fan wrote on X: “The Villa and Bruges players who hang out their phones, waiting for the results as if they discovered that they survived the relegation of League One has made me indescribably happy.”
Another said: “Aston Villa players gathered around iPad who checked Atalanta score was fantastic.”
While a third added: “That reaction to villa that finds out that they are because of the round of 16 is class. Fully stadium and players become mentally in state quality.”
Villa was shaken earlier in the day after Arsenal had made an £ 60 million bid for Talisman Ollie Watkins.
The England striker was on the score sheet in Villa Park, just a few hours after the bid was rejected.
But he also missed a fine on disastrous fashion when Emery's men squeak the last 16.
Watkins blew his chance with Villa who led 3-2 at night.
But the three Lions striker shot his efforts high in the cavity end and gave away a Freekick in the process to kick the ball twice.
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