Watch full Champions League highlights from France on Tuesday night, as Aston Villa lose their second game in Europe this season.
Villa Falter In Europe
Aston Villa lost just their second game in Europe this season, as Monaco were able to hold on to a 1-0 lead in a close game.
The game’s first chance fell to Leon Bailey, who snuck in at the back post to get on the end of a Lucas Digne cross only for his header to be easily saved down low.
Despite Villa’s quick start it was the hosts who broke the deadlock in France, with Monaco able to convert from their first corner of the game after just seven minutes.
Thilo Kehrer rose highest in the box to guide a header on target and although Emiliano Martninez was able to keep the ball out, he parried it straight into the path of a grateful Wilfried Singo who nodded in the game’s first goal from point blank range.
Monaco nearly doubled their advantage just a couple of minutes later, as Martinez was drawn into an acrobatic save by a smart Maghnes Akliouche shot from range.
Ollie Watkins had Villa’s best opportunity of the first half in stoppage time but he wasn’t able to convert from close range after Emi Buendia slipped him through on goal, with Radosław Majecki making another sharp save down low.
Villa started the second half as they finished the first, with Morgan Rogers watching his curled shot fly just wide of the post, with the visitors desperate for an early equaliser after the break.
Monaco thought they’d gone two ahead just after the Rogers chance, but Akliouche’s finish was quickly ruled out with the Frenchman creeping offside in the buildup.
Villa continued to probe throughout the second half but they were unable to find the back of the net, even with super sub Jhon Duran coming on despite recent transfer rumours.
WATCH: Monaco 1-0 Aston Villa Highlights
Aston Villa May Be Facing Playoffs
With Villa dropping points again in the Champions League, they could find themselves outside of the top 8 by the end of the final matchday next week.
Despite being top of the new UEFA table format at one point, Unai Emery’s side find themselves in seventh place after the loss in and in a vulnerable position to other teams pushing for automatic qualification.
After their good start in Europe this season dropping out of the top 8 would be very inconvenient for Villa who may be facing a two game playoff to make it into the last 16.
There are now 12 teams within just three points of Villa in seventh halfway through matchday , and the Premier League side still have to welcome Celtic to the Midlands in their final group stage fixture.
