Aston Villa player ratings from Monaco defeat as two score 4/10 but one standout 8

Aston Villa played out an underwhelming 1-0 defeat away at AS Monaco on Tuesday night, greatly lessening their chances of finishing in the Champions League top eight.

There wasn’t much to cheer for the impressive Villa turnout in the wide away end behind the goal at Stade Louis-II, with those packing the neutral section to the rafters also disappointed.

Villa got off to a slow start and were very intermittent with their attacking rhythm even after going 1-0 down, defender Wilfried Singo nodding in on the rebound in the eighth minute to score what turned out to be the winner. Unai Emery’s side can still finish in the top eight with a win against Celtic next week but they will be relying on results elsewhere; it’s not at all how they hoped their trip to the principality would turn out.

Monaco’s goal was far too easy as Singo headed into the net after Emiliano Martinez made a fine close-range stop to deny Thilo Kehrer. Villa were the architects of their own downfall as Tyrone Mings’ cheap giveaway led to a corner being conceded and then Mings and Ollie Watkins allowed Kehrer to sneak in between them in the six-yard box. The delivery from Lamine Camara was an absolute peach but the defending really left a lot to be desired, infuriating Emery on the touchline.

Monaco gained great confidence from their opener and searched for a rapid second. Maghnes Akliouche went very close to sourcing just that as he forced a stunning diving save from Martinez after sprinting onto a Eliesse Ben Seghir through ball. Breel Embolo went close, too, also seeing a strike halted in its path by Martinez.

Villa looked stunned and took almost half an hour to fully settle into the encounter. Emery’s men did develop somewhat a rhythm approaching the interval, though, and there were a couple of great opportunities to equalise. Emiliano Buendia zipped a superb through pass into Watkins and Leon Bailey reacted quickest to the striker’s heavy touch to test Radoslaw Majecki. Watkins then went even nearer as he latched onto a Buendia pass and poked a shot toward the far bottom corner, but Majecki - at full stretch - turned it around the post.

The visitors’ momentum initially carried over into the second period - albeit at a slower rate - as Rogers, found by a delicate Watkins pass across the edge of the area, attempted an ambitious outside-of-the-boot shot but couldn’t quite hit the target. Cash then had two decent openings as he saw a header saved at the far post but scuffed another effort well wide.

Emery turned to the bench to switch up the system slightly, going two up top with Jhon Duran alongside Watkins and Bailey off. Ian Maatsen was then introduced in place of Digne, who looked furious to come off after creating several chances. Emery usually utilises reinforcements off the bench superbly but neither substitution worked out as the hosts were able to hold on for the win. Monaco’s success moves them level on points with Villa in the league phase standings.

Aston Villa ratings vs Monaco

Emiliano Martinez - 8*

Made a great save to deny Kehrer but was unfortunately beaten on the rebound for 1-0. Made an even better stop to deny Akliouche from extending Monaco’s lead. Commanded his area well and reacted quickly to dive on loose balls.

Matty Cash - 6

Anticipated brilliantly to make more recoveries than we could count and got in some great positions in the final third, utilising the underlap. Missed his two big chances, however, heading weakly for one and scuffing the other off target.

Ezri Konsa - 6

Defended well one-on-one with Minamino on several occasions. Made a crucial block to spare Mings’ blushes early on but then Monaco scored from the corner anyway. Struggled to keep up the pace at the end as the hosts went back on the ascendency.

Tyrone Mings - 4

Gave away the ball precariously ahead of the corner Monaco scored their opening goal from. Also lost the aerial duel for Kehrer’s header before Singo nodded in. Recovered his rating slightly with a few crucial blocks and clearances.

Lucas Digne - 6 (off 67’)

Teed up some good crosses for Bailey and Cash to register headed shots on target. Wasn’t at all happy about being substituted for Maatsen.

Boubacar Kamara - 5

Unable to dominate at the base of midfield as he has so often in recent weeks. Booked at the end for dissent.

Youri Tielemans - 6

Played some tidy passes in behind but saw others hit the first man. Another not to hit his usual levels.

Morgan Rogers - 7 (off 86’)

Always had the desire to turn his man and progress up the field. Went close with a 20-yard shot as he struck with finesse but just wide.

Leon Bailey - 4 (off 56’)

Struggled with his creative work in the first half and scuffed a header in a great position. Had a better left-footed attempt saved. Hooked before the hour mark.

Emiliano Buendia - 7 (off 86’)

Gave away possession cheaply two or three times in the first 30 minutes but eventually settled into the game to create the chances for Bailey and Watkins. Looked like one of the only players who wanted to win in the second half.

Ollie Watkins - 6

Missed a big chance in the first half, saved by Majecki. Teed up Rogers for a half chance at the start of the second. Held up the ball well when the support wasn’t yet there.