Aston Villa head to Monaco for their penultimate game of the Champions League league phase on Tuesday evening.
It’s been a memorable return to Europe’s premier club competition for Villa, who took a big stride towards a round of 16 berth by beating RB Leipzig 3-2 last time out. Unai Emery’s side have won four of their six league phase games, with their continental campaign highlighted by a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich.
Villa now face the Ligue 1 side, having fought back from 2-0 down to earn a point at Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday.
Back-to-back defeats in this competition means Monaco will likely have to endure the knockout play-offs to make the last 16. After starting their second season under Adi Hutter strongly, Monaco’s form has tanked in the new year and they were beaten by bottom-of-Ligue 1 Montpellier on Friday night.
The hosts have a few issues in attack, with Hutter set to rely on experienced Swiss forward Breel Embolo in front of a youthful creative triumvirate.
Monaco are without former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun due to a shoulder injury and the emerging George Ilenikhena becuase of a muscle issue. Wilfried Singo and midfield lynchpin Denis Zakaria both missed Friday night’s disappointing defeat at Montpellier and are doubtful for Villa’s visit.
Monaco predicted lineup vs Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Majecki; Vanderson, Salisu, Kehrer, Mawissa; Camara, Magassa; Akliouche, Golovin, Ben Seghir; Embolo.
Amadou Onana picked up a hamstring strain in the weekend draw with Arsenal and is likely to miss out, but John McGinn should be available once more after recovering from the same ailment.
Lucas Digne should replace Ian Maatsen at left-back, while Leon Bailey is also pushing for a return to the team despite Jacob Ramsey’s return from injury. Donyell Malen was an unused substitute at the weekend, having just arrived from Borussia Dortmund, and Unai Emery could give the Dutchman his debut here.
Jhon Duran could be rotated back into the team to offer the in-form Ollie Watkins some respite.
Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Monaco (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Kamara, Bogarde, Tielemans; Bailey, Duran, Rogers.
