Aston Villa can take a huge step towards qualifying for the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday night as Unai Emery’s side face AS Monaco at the Stade Louis II.

Villa currently sit in fifth place in the league phase table after winning four of their six matches. Monaco, however, are one of many teams queuing behind Villa, with the Ligue 1 side only three points behind them.

Monaco made a strong start to their European campaign and even beat La Liga leaders Barcelona, but have fallen away from the top eight places after losing successive games against Benfica and Arsenal. Adi Hutter’s team are in a poor vein of form after only winning one of their last eight matches in all competitions. They even fell to a shock defeat to bottom side Montpellier on Friday night.

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Villa come into the match on the back of two positive results on the road. After beating Everton in what was David Moyes’ return to Goodison Park on Wednesday, Villa then came back from two goals behind to draw 2-2 with Arsenal in the capital over the weekend.

Villa suffered a fresh injury blow in the first half as Amadou Onana was forced off with a suspected hamstring problem. His replacement Lamare Bogarde impressed in the double pivot alongside Boubacar Kamara.

The 21-year-old could make a start against Monaco on Tuesday, but perhaps it’s more likely Youri Tielemans will drop back for a partnership with Kamara. That could mean Leon Bailey comes into the side as Morgan Rogers moves from the right into a more central position behind the striker.

Jhon Duran could return to the XI after starting the last two matches on the bench. Ollie Watkins scored in both matches last week and has bagged three times in the last four league games, but Emery is acutely aware that Duran needs minutes too.

The Colombia ace has bagged three goals in six Champions League games, including a stunning strike in the 3-2 win over RB Leipzig. He was also unfortunate to see a goal against BSC Young Boys ruled out due to a handball from Onana earlier in the move.

In defence, Emery could recall Lucas Digne to the XI after he impressed off the bench against Arsenal, replacing Ian Maatsen who struggle defensively.

Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings are expected to continue in defence with Emi Martinez in goal behind them.

Donyell Malen is not available for selection as Villa can only register three new players after the league phase is complete. The Dutch forward could make his debut against West Ham on Saturday.

Villa predicted XI vs Monaco: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, Tielemans, Bailey, Rogers, Ramsey, Duran.

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