Monaco meet Aston Villa in their penultimate league phase fixture in 2024-25 UEFA Champions League.
Victory would lift Monaco up to eighth ahead of the late kick-offs if Atalanta lose elsewhere, whilst Villa can go second with a win for at least a few hours.
Team News
Monaco have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 2-1 loss at Montpellier in Ligue 1.
Wilfred Singo (back) and Denis Zakaria (illness) are doubts but Folarin Balogun (shoulder), Krepin Diatta (muscle) and George Ilenikhena (adductor) are ruled out.
Villa could be without Amadou Onana after he suffered a hamstring injury in their 2-2 draw at Arsenal in the Premier League last weekend.
New signing, Donyell Malen is ineligible because Villa can’t register new signings until completion of the league phase.
Ross Barkley (calf), John McGinn (hamstring) and Pau Torres (metatarsal) remain sidelined, whilst Diego Carlos nears a move to Fenerbahce but would of missed this game due to suspension anyway.
When is Kick-Off?
Monaco host Villa at Stade Louis II on Tuesday 21 January at 6:45pm CET (5:45pm GMT), live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Monaco’s first meeting against Aston Villa in all competitions.
- Villa are making their first-ever visit to Monaco in all competitions.
- Monaco have failed to keep a clean sheet at home in the league phase (W2, L1).
- Diego Carlos has been booked in each of Villa’s last two away matches in the league phase.
Prediction
Following defeats in their last two league phase games, Monaco really could do with a win here but have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven in all competitions, which makes the need for a solid defensive display absolutely important ahead of their trip to Inter Milan next week.
Villa meanwhile produced a clinical comeback to draw at Arsenal after conceding two pretty sloppy goals from poor marking of Leandro Trossard’s assists, yet they showed grit and intent to stay calm and fight back for a deserved point but now must bring that quality to Monaco if want to have a top-eight spot in their hands.
Monaco though are a strong attacking team on the European stage but if Villa can apply themselves properly like in North London and defend better, they should get the win.
Prediction: Monaco 1-2 Aston Villa
Result: Monaco 1-0 Aston Villa
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