Aston Villa missed the chance to all but secure their place in the Champions League knockouts as they were beaten by Monaco at Stade Louis II.
Wilfried Singo got the game’s only goal in the eighth minute, heading home from close range after Emiliano Martinez had initially done well to keep out Thilo Kehrer’s effort.
Aston Villa were not at their best, but did have chances to equalise, with Monaco goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki twice denying the visitors before half-time.
First, Leon Bailey forced him into a decent stop after good work by Emiliano Buendia, who also teed up Ollie Watkins for an effort straight at Majecki.
Monaco also had a goal ruled out early in the second half when Maghnes Akliouche was flagged offside, but the hosts continued to look the most likely to score again, twice getting in behind the Villa defence only for last-ditch blocks to prevent them scoring.
The defeat means Unai Emery’s side will likely need to beat Celtic at Villa Park next Wednesday to seal a top-eight place in the league phase of the competition.
Meanwhile, the win boosted Monaco’s own automatic qualification hopes as they moved alongside Aston Villa on 13 points.
