‘Absolutely not’ - Monaco boss Adi Hutter and striker Breel Embolo share Aston Villa admission

Hutter and Embolo shared their opinions on Aston Villa’s placing in the top eight of the Champions League table.

Previewing Tuesday night’s penultimate league phase clash at Stade Louis II, the Monaco pair agreed they must step up their game if they are to overcome Unai Emery’s side.

The 2016/17 Ligue 1 champions have really struggled over recent weeks, winning just one of their last eight matches across all competitions – and that was in the cup against French third tier outfit L’Union Saint-Jean. Their last two Champions League outings haven’t gone to plan, either, as they lost 3-0 at Arsenal and 3-2 at home to Benfica.

Confidence is low and the odds are certainly stacked against Monaco but Hutter has retained belief his team can cause an upset.

“We have an opportunity against a big, big opponent,” Hutter said. “Tomorrow we will face a team in the Premier League who is stable in their results. Unai Emery has won four titles in Europe and he has very good players. Every goal in the end can be decisive. We are going out on the pitch to try and win this game.”

Monaco duo unsurprised by Aston Villa success

Neither Hutter or Embolo are surprised about just how well Villa have adjusted to the Champions League. From a manager’s point of view, it was always going to go well for a team as good as Emery’s. From the opponent striker’s perspective, it’s an exciting opportunity to play against some of the best players in England.

“For me, it’s not,” Hutter added when asked if it was shocking that Villa find themselves fifth in the Champions League. “It may be a surprise to see some big teams under the top eight, but for me Aston Villa was a team who could have competed in the top eight.

“They are really strong, but tomorrow we know this is very important for us as it is our last home game. We want to fight and we have to do this in every situation.”

When asked the same question, Embolo said: “No, absolutely not [a surprise]. If you look at them in the last few years, they have been in the top six or top seven. In terms of quality and character, personality, they are very strong. They have a very good vision, very good coach and very good players as well.

“It is a team [Villa] we watch and lots of players in the dressing room watch them sometimes because they have quality players. We watch their games. It is a strong team with and without the ball. They reacted well from being two goals down against Arsenal. We are facing a big team in Aston Villa. It will be difficult but I feel like this is our moment to show we are at that level too.”