Aston Villa travel to Monaco for the penultimate match of the Champions League stage on Tuesday evening.
It has been a memorable return to Europe's premier club competition for Villa, who took a big step towards qualifying for the last 16 by beating RB Leipzig 3-2 last time out. Unai Emery's side have won four of their six games in the league stage, with their continental campaign highlighted by a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich.
Villa now face the Ligue 1 side, having fought back from 2-0 down to earn a point Arsenal IN Premier League on Saturday.
Back-to-back defeats in this competition mean Monaco will likely have to endure a play-off to progress to the last 16. After starting their second season under Adi Hutter strongly, Monaco's form has dipped in the new year and they were beaten by Ligue 1 bottom side Montpellier on Friday night.
Monaco vs Aston Villa H2H results
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 streaming |
|---|---|
|
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 ahead of a creative youthful triumvirate.
Monaco are without former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogu with a shoulder injury and developing George Ilenikhena with a muscle problem.
Wilfried Singo and midfield lynchpin Denis Zakaria missed Friday night's disappointing defeat at Montpellier and are doubtful for the visit of Villa.
Monaco predicted formation against Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Majecki; Vanderson, Salisu, Kehrer, Henry; ROOM, Magassa; Akliouche, Golovin, Ben Seghir; The piston.
John McGinn has recovered from a thigh injury and could feature on Tuesday after returning to training at Villa. However, a place in the starting XI is unlikely.
Lucas Digne should replace Ian Maatsen at left-back, while Leon Bailey is also looking for a return to the team despite the return of Jacob Ramsey from injury.
Donyell Malen was an unused substitute at the weekend, fresh from Borussia Dortmund. Emery should hand the Dutchman his debut here.
Jhon Duran could return to the team to offer the in-form Ollie Watkins some time.
Aston Villa predicted formation against Monaco (4-2-3-1):Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Minga, Digne; Kamara, Onana, Tielemans; Bailey, Duran, Rogers.
Villa have been quite volatile domestically, but they have looked calm in it Champions League and they can all secure their place in the last 16 with a win here.
Emery's flair in back-to-back occasions has paid dividends, with Villa able to raise their game on the big occasion.
They will face a dynamic and vertical Monaco side on Tuesday, but one that is young and out of shape. The hosts will have their moments and Villa may have to weather a few storms, but Emery's ingenuity will see them through another tricky European day away.