Aston Villa’s hopes of securing a place in the top eight of the Champions League were dented by a 1-0 away defeat at Monaco.
Wilfried Singo’s eighth-minute header proved the difference at the Stade Louis II as a weak Villa side lost for the second time in their European campaign.
The result ensures Unai Emery’s side retain their place in the top eight, while most of their Champions League rivals are yet to play on Matchday 7. The Midlands side face Celtic at home in their final group game.
Monaco have now moved up to ninth in the standings as they are level on points with Villa, boosting their hopes of an automatic place in the last 16.
The visitors enjoyed the first rally, but Monaco took the lead first when Singo headed in from close range after Emiliano Martinez had initially parried Breel Embolo’s header.
Aston Villa fell behind within ten minutes 👀
Wilfried Singo is alert and heads Emiliano Martínez’s first save over the line, giving Monaco an early lead!
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– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 21, 2025
Villa appeared unsettled by the goal as they made a series of sloppy passes, one from Ezri Konsa, who forced a strong save from Martinez to deny Maghnes Alkiouche’s shot.
The guests calmed down again and were on top for most of the second half, although without creating too many chances. Lucas Digne tried his luck with a free kick from 25 meters, but his clever shot was easily intercepted.
Leon Bailey was then unlucky not to equalize from close range after a fine ball from Emiliano Buendia found the Jamaican through a clever touch from Ollie Watkins.
The best chance of the half fell to Villa when Watkins was played through by another great through ball from Bunedia, but the Villa striker’s shot was saved by goalkeeper Radosław Majecki on the right.
An excellent combination between Emi Buendía and Ollie Watkins, but the Villa striker’s shot goes wide of the post 😫
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– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 21, 2025
Monaco then had time to miss a golden chance when Alkiouche failed to hold on to his shot after finding miles 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 keep his shot into the post with the outside of his boot.
Alkiouche then thought he had made it 2-0 after firing home from close range, but the 22-year-old made his run too early and was ruled offside.
Emery introduced Jhon Duran to play alongside Watkins to inspire Villa, but the result proved successful as chances were few and far between in the final half hour of the game.
Matty Cash was sent on goal by Rogers, but the right-back could only fire his shot wide.
