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Celtic's dismal away record in Europe continued as they were beaten 1-0 by Villarreal in El Madrigal to leave their Group E Champions League qualification hopes hanging in the balance.

Marcos Senna curled home a contentious second-half free-kick for the only goal of the game, and Celtic now have just one point from their opening two games, with a double header against defending champions Manchester United coming up next.

The result was Celtic's 16th away defeat out of 17 in the Champions League group stage.

The Scottish champions paid the price for an overly conservative game-plan which allowed Villarreal to dominate possession throughout.

However, things could have been different if Georgios Samaras had converted Celtic's best chance of the match just before the break.

Celtic tried to stifle their opponents by packing the midfield and playing Samaras as a lone striker and the plan seemed to work in the first-half.

Villarreal struggled to break down a well-drilled Celtic outfit and Joseba Llorente scuffed the hosts' best early chance after the ball fell to him on the edge of the area when Artur Boruc saved Giuseppe Rossi's initial effort.

Boruc also tipped over another Rossi chance but it should have really been Celtic in front at the break when Samaras was presented with a gift of a chance.

His man Diego Godin made a mess of a clearance and that left the in-form striker clear one-on-one with Diego Lopez.

However, the Greek tried a somewhat elaborate effort with the outside of his boot which Lopez saved when a powerful blast would have been more effective.

In the second-half, Celtic gradually started defending deeper and deeper and they were inviting shots on their goal.

They had one moment at the other end when Stephen McManus nearly turned in a Gary Caldwell header, but it was the hosts who were looking more and more dangerous and it was no surprise when they finally took the lead in the 67th minute.

Gordon Strachan will be furious with the referee after Llorente made a meal of a little trip from Paul Hartley but the free kick just outside the box was awarded.

There was still plenty for Senna to do though, but he dipped the ball over the wall superbly and into the corner of the net for a fine goal.

After the goal, Celtic brought on Scott McDonald and then later Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink in a bid to change things, but other than a McDonald half-volley from the edge of the area that flew just over, that never looked likely.

Instead it was Villarreal who continued to dominate and Celtic needed a couple of smart saves from Boruc to keep the score down.

Next up for Celtic is a trip to Old Trafford, and another defeat there could leave them in a battle with Aalborg for a UEFA Cup place.

Seán Fay / Eurosport