Aston Villa suffered a blow to their hopes of securing a place in the top eight of the Champions League after losing 1-0 away to Monaco.
Wilfried Sing’s eighth-minute header proved otherwise at the Stade Louis II as the Villa side lost for the second time in their European campaign.
The result leaves Unai Emery’s men in a place in the top eight, with most of their Champions League rivals still in the 7th round. The Midlands side face Celtic at home in their final group game.
Monaco, meanwhile, moved up to ninth in the table as they moved level on points with Villa and boosted their hopes of automatically reaching the last 16.
The visitors enjoyed the better of the early exchanges, but it was Monaco who took the lead first when Singo headed in from close range after Breel Embolo’s header was initially saved by Emiliano Martinez.
Aston Villa are behind within ten minutes 👀
Wilfried Singo is ready to save with a header over Emiliano Martínez’s line, giving Monaco an early lead!
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 21, 2025
Villa seemed troubled by the goal as they made a couple of sloppy passes, one from Ezri Konsa forcing a strong save from Martinez to keep out Maghnes Alkiouche’s shot.
The visitors settled down again and were on top for most of the second half, although they did not create too many chances. Lucas Digne tried his luck with a free kick from 25 yards, but his good shot was easily collected.
Leon Bailey then unluckily managed to equalize from close range after Emilian Buendia’s fine ball found the Jamaican with Ollie Watkins’ clever touch.
Villa’s best chance of the half came at the death when Watkins collected another great ball from Bunedia, but the Villa striker’s shot was saved by goalkeeper Radosław Majecki to his right.
Great combination between Emi Buendía and Ollie Watkins, but the Villa striker sees his effort pushed around the post 😫
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 21, 2025
Monaco then had time to miss a great chance when Alkiouche couldn’t hold on to his shot after finding plenty of space from close range.
Villa started the second half well as Watkins raced clear down the left before finding Morgan Rogers, who couldn’t quite bend his effort inside the post with the outside of his boot.
Alkiouche then thought he had made it 2-0 when he struck from close range, but the 22-year-old did too soon and was flagged for offside.
Emery brought on Jhon Duran to play alongside Watkins to try and inspire Villa, but it proved to be good, with few chances in the final half hour of the game.
Matty Cash was put through on goal by Rogers, but the right-back could only parry his shot wide.
