Aston Villa head to Monaco for their penultimate game of the Champions League stage this Tuesday evening.
It has been a memorable return to Europe’s top club competition for Villa, who took a huge step towards the last 16 by beating RB Leipzig 3-2 last time out. Unai Emery’s side have won four of their six league stage games, with their continental campaign highlighted by a 1-0 win at Bayern Munich.
Villa now face the Ligue 1 side, having fought back from 2-0 down to earn a point arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday
Back-to-back defeats in this competition mean Monaco will likely have to endure the knockout stages to reach the last 16. After starting their second season under Adi Hutter strongly, Monaco’s form dipped in the new year and they were beaten. the end of Liga 1, Montpellier, on Friday night.
Head-to-head results Monaco vs Aston Villa
This is the first competitive meeting between Monaco and Aston Villa.
Current form (all competitions)
|
Monaco |
Aston Villa |
|---|---|
|
Montpellier 2-1 Monaco – 17/01/25 |
Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa – 18/01/25 |
|
Reims 1-1 (3-1p) Monaco – 14/01/25 |
Everton 0-1 Aston Villa – 15/01/25 |
|
Nantes 2-2 Monaco – 01/10/25 |
Aston Villa 2-1 West Ham – 10/01/25 |
|
PSG 1-0 Monaco – 01/05/25 |
Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester – 04/01/25 |
|
Union Saint-Jean 1-4 Monaco – 22/12/24 |
Aston Villa 2-2 Brighton – 30/12/24 |
|
country |
TV channel/live broadcast |
|---|---|
|
united kingdom |
Discovery+, discovery+ app, TNT Sports 1 |
|
united states |
Paramount+, fuboTV, TUDN.com, Univision NOW, TUDN App, TUDN USA, UniMas |
|
canada |
DAZN Canada |
The hosts have some issues in attack, with Hutter set to rely on experienced Swiss striker Breel Embolo in front of a youthful creative triumvirate.
Monaco are without former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun with a shoulder injury and emerging star George Ilenikhena with a muscle problem.
Wilfried Singo and midfielder Denis Zakaria missed Friday night’s disappointing defeat at Montpellier and are doubts for Villa’s visit.
Monaco predicted line-up against Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Majecki; Vanderson, Salisu, Kehrer, Henry; CAMBRA, Magassa; Akliouche, Golovin, Ben Seghir; piston
John McGinn has recovered from a hamstring injury and could feature on Tuesday after returning to Villa training. However, a place in the starting eleven is unlikely.
Lucas Digne should replace Ian Maatsen at left-back, while Leon Bailey is also pushing for a return to the team despite Jacob Ramsey’s return from injury.
Donyell Malen was an unused substitute at the weekend, fresh from Borussia Dortmund. Emery should make his Dutch debut here.
Jhon Duran could return to the squad to provide some respite for the in-form Ollie Watkins.
Aston Villa’s predicted line-up against Monaco (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Minga, Digne; Kamara, Onana, Tielemans; Bailey, Duran, Rogers.
Villa have been pretty inconsistent domestically, but they have looked comfortable Champions League and they can almost secure their place in the round of 16 with a win here.
Emery’s guile on occasion has paid dividends, with Villa able to raise their game on the big occasion.
On Tuesday they face a dynamic and vertical Monaco team, but young and out of form. The hosts will have their moments and Villa may have to weather a few storms, but Emery’s knowledge will see them through another tricky day in Europe.
