Monaco crisis cause denied as Breel Embolo makes 'murder us' admission before Aston Villa
AS Monaco striker Breel Embolo claims he is not shocked by Aston Villa's position in the Champions League league phase table ahead of Tuesday night's clash at the Stade Louis II.
Unai Emery's side are only three points ahead of the Ligue 1 side ahead of matchweek seven, but come into the game in a strong vein of form after beating Everton at Goodison Park last Wednesday before coming back from two goals behind to draw 2-2 with Arsenal in the capital.
Monaco played Arsenal in matchweek six of the Champions League and fell to a 3-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium. Embolo claims that Villa's strong display of character against the Gunners serves as a warning ahead of tomorrow night.
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"It is a team [Villa] we watch and lots of players in the dressing room watch them sometimes because they have quality players," he said in the pre-match press conference. "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 were there [Champions League] and we felt how good Arsenal is. 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."
Asked if he was surprised that Villa are occupying fifth place ahead of the final two matchweeks, Embolo replied: "No, absolutely not. 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."
Monaco have only won won of their last eight matches in all competitions and are yet to really recover from conceding two late goals against Benfica in a 3-2 home defeat back in November. Though Embolo rubbished suggestions that he and his teammates have dropped their levels of intensity.
"The coach is right next to me, you can’t drop the intensity," he insisted. "If we drop our intensity the coach will absolutely murder us! Teams are showing us more respect and opponents are defending more tightly. We have to adapt ourselves.
"We are still the same team we were three months ago, we have the same coach and players. We are consistent in our vision. We are lucky to get another chance after being caught out after the defeat to Benfica. It’s a chance to put things right.
"Benfica cost us points. If we won then we would be in a better place. It has changed the standings a little more. Psychologically it hasn't changed anything. There are always moments when things don't go well. Things always change.
"Experience is never about just age, in my opinion. What matters is what you are able to live through things in your career. This is a chance to show our confidence. The little details are the ones which are punished by your opponent."
