Aston Villa suffered a blow to their hopes of securing a place in the last eight of the Champions League after losing 1-0 away to Monaco.
Wilfried Singo’s eighth-minute header proved otherwise at the Stade Louis II as Villa’s formidable side lost for the second time in their European campaign.
The result leaves Unai Emery’s men clinging to their top eight spot with most of their Champions League rivals still playing in matchday 7. The Midlands side face Celtic at home in their final group game.
Monaco, meanwhile, moved up to ninth in the table as they drew level on points with Villa and boosted their hopes of automatically reaching the last 16.
The visitors had the better of the early exchanges but it was Monaco who took the lead first when Singo headed in from close range after Emiliano Martinez had initially saved Breel Embolo’s header.
Aston Villa fall behind within ten minutes 👀
Wilfried Shingo is alert to Emiliano Martinez’s initial save over the line, giving Monaco an early lead!
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— Soccer on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 21, 2025
Villa looked unsettled by the goal as he made several sloppy misplaced passes, one from Ezri Konsa forcing a strong save from Martinez to turn away Magnes Alkiuce’s shot.
The visitors stopped again and were on top for much of the second half, although without conceding many chances. Lucas Digne tried his luck with a free-kick from 25 yards, but his fine effort was easily gathered.
Leon Bailey then failed to equalize from close range after a fine ball from Emiliano Buendia found the Jamaican with a clever touch from Ollie Watkins.
Villa’s best chance of the half came at the death when Watkins was teed up by another great Bunedia through ball, but the Villa striker’s shot was saved by keeper RadosÅ‚aw Majecki to his right.
A great combination between Emi BuendÃa and Ollie Watkins but the Villa striker sees his effort pushed around the post 😫
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— Soccer on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 21, 2025
There was then time for Monaco to miss a golden opportunity when Alcuche was unable to keep his shot after finding acres of space from close range.
Villa started the second half well as Watkins raced clear down the left before finding Morgan Rodgers, who couldn’t bend his effort inside the post with the outside of his boot.
Alkiuce then thought he had made it 2-0 after hitting home from close range, but the 22-year-old made his run too early and was flagged for offside.
Emery brought on John Duran to play alongside Watkins to try and inspire Villa, but it proved to be spot on, with few chances in the final half hour of the game.
Rodgers teed up Matty Cass on goal but the right-back could only fire his shot wide.
