Aston Villa travel to Monaco on Tuesday evening for the penultimate game of the Champions League.
It was a memorable return to Europe’s premier club competition for Villa, who took a big step towards reaching the round of 16 with a 3-2 win against RB Leipzig in their last game. Unai Emery’s side have won four of their six league stage games, with their continental campaign highlighted by a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich.
Villa now face the Ligue 1 side after recovering from a 2-0 deficit to pick up a point at Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday.
Two consecutive defeats in the competition mean Monaco will likely have to get through the knockout play-offs to reach the round of 16. After starting their second season strongly under Adi Hutter, Monaco’s form has deteriorated in the new year and they were beaten by Ligue 1 bottom side Montpellier on Friday evening.
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 – Monaco 2-1 – 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 – 01/10/25 |
PSG – Monaco 1-0 – 01/05/25 | Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester – 01/04/25 |
L’Union Saint-Jean 1-4 Monaco – 12/22/24 | Aston Villa 2-2 Brighton – 30/12/24 |
country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | Discovery+, Discovery+ App, TNT Sports 1 |
United States | Paramount+, fuboTV, TUDN.com, Univision NOW, TUDN App, TUDN USA, UniMás |
Canada | DAZN Canada |
The hosts have some problems in attack, Hutter will rely on experienced Swiss striker Breel Embolo in front of a young, creative triumvirate.
Monaco will be without former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun due to a shoulder injury and rising star George Ilenikhena due to a muscle problem.
Wilfried Singo and midfielder Denis Zakaria both missed Friday night’s disappointing defeat at Montpellier and are doubtful for Villa’s visit.
Predicted line-up for Monaco vs Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Majecki; Vanderson, Salisu, Kehrer, Henrique; Camara, Magassa; Akliouche, Golovin, Ben Seghir; Embolo.
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 the return of Jacob Ramsey from injury.
Donyell Malen was an unused substitute at the weekend, having just arrived from Borussia Dortmund. Emery should give the Dutchman his debut here.
Jhon Duran could be brought back into the team to give the in-form Ollie Watkins some rest.
Aston Villa’s expected line-up against Monaco (4-2-3-1): Martínez; Cash, Konsa, Minga, Digne; Kamara, Onana, Tielemans; Bailey, Duran, Rogers.
Villa have been inconsistent domestically but they have looked relaxed in the Champions League and can almost secure their place in the last 16 with a win here.
Emery’s acumen on one-off occasions has paid off and Villa have been able to raise their game on big occasions.
They face a dynamic and vertical Monaco team on Tuesday, but they are young and out of form. The hosts will have their moments and Villa may have to weather a few storms, but Emery’s skill will help them through another difficult European away day.