Aston Villa will recommence their Champions League campaign when they take on Monaco at the Stade Louis II on Tuesday evening.
Unai Emery’s side have impressed upon their return to Europe’s premier club competition, collecting 13 points from a possible 18.
That tally has put Villa in pole position to progress to the knockout round ahead of their final two fixtures.
The Villans will head into their latest continental contest after coming from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw away at Arsenal on Saturday, in a game that brought up one of my selections.
As for Monaco, they still have work to do in the Champions League if they are to forge a path to the latter stages, with Adi Hutter’s side currently housed in 16th place in the league phase standings.
Closer to home, the Red and Whites now find themselves without a win in four Ligue 1 matches following a 2-1 defeat at Montpellier last time out.
How the bookies view it: Monaco back on the march
Despite losing each of their previous two Champions League matches, Monaco come into this match as 13/10 favourites on Boylesports.
Aston Villa are 15/8 outsiders on Boylesports to emerge from the Stade Louis II victorious, while a point apiece has been priced up at 12/5 on Boylesports.
Head to head: A first-ever meeting
Monaco and Aston Villa will cross paths for the first time ever on Tuesday evening.
The Principality club have already been put to the sword by Premier League opposition in this season’s Champions League, crashing to a 3-0 defeat away at Arsenal on matchday six.
Players to watch: A moment of Breeliance?
Breel Embolo has made the net bulge in two of Monaco's last three Ligue 1 matches. The Switzerland striker is 9/5 on Boylesports to grab a goal against Aston Villa on Tuesday evening.
Aston Villa’s Lucas Digne has been chalked up at 8/11 on Bet 365 to commit a minimum of one foul during this contest and that price looks a touch too big.
Predicted line-ups
Monaco will be unable to call upon the services of injured quartet Denis Zakaria, Folarin Balogun, George Ilenikhena and Wilfried Singo.
Amadou Onana is a major doubt after hobbling off during the first-half at the Emirates on Saturday. The Belgian midfielder could be set for a spell in the Aston Villa medical room alongside John McGinn, Pau Torres and Ross Barkley.
Monaco: Majecki; Teze, Kehrer, Salisu, Henrique; Magassa, Camara; Akliouche, Golovin, Ben Seghir; Embolo
Aston Villa: Martínez; Cash, Konsa, Mings,Digne; Kamara, Bogarde; Rogers, Tielemans, Ramsey; Duran
Anything else catch the eye?
I’ll delve into the Boylesports Bet Builder and partner up Aston Villa to score alongside Aston Villa with a + 1 handicap start at 4/5.
As already alluded to, Villa have not looked out of place in this season’s Champions League, and the form book certainly favours them ahead of this Stade Louis II showdown.
Emery’s team struck three times at RB Leipzig on matchday six and they can get more joy in front of goal against a Monaco side that have conceded six goals across their last two Champions League matches.
This UEFA Champions League match between Monaco and Aston Villa will be played on Jan 21, 2025 and kick off at 17:45. Check below for our tipsters best Monaco vs Aston Villa prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
