Aston Villa travel to Monaco in the Champions League group phase on Tuesday, hoping to consolidate their position in the automatic qualification places.
Should they win, the hosts will move level on points with Unai Emery's side in the table, leaving both sides with plenty to play for at Stade Louis II.
Match preview
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The hosts started their season with a 10-match unbeaten streak in all competitions, during which they won two of their first three matches in Europe.
Since losing to Nice at the end of October, they have struggled for consistency in all competitions, and they have failed to win any of their four matches since the turn of the year.
A run of five wins in their last 16 matches has seen Monaco fall outside the automatic qualification places in the Champions League, miss out on silverware in the Trophee des Champions to Paris Saint-Germain and get knocked out the Coupe de France by Reims.
Their European campaign got off to an excellent start with a 2-1 victory against Barcelona back in September, followed by a draw against Dinamo Zagreb and further victories over Red Star Belgrade and Bologna.
Last time out in the competition, they were well beaten by Arsenal in London, as Bukayo Saka struck twice and Kai Havertz finished off the Ligue 1 visitors.
That defeat to the Gunners leaves Adi Hutter's men with work to do to qualify automatically for the round of 16, but with games against two teams currently occupying the automatic qualification spots, the qualification picture in the group could still look very different come the end of the group phase.
Monaco will point to their strong home record this season as a reason to believe they can get a result against Villa this season – the hosts have only lost once at home in their three Champions League contests at Stade Louis II this year, and they have only lost twice at home in Ligue 1 this season too.
Les Rouges et Blanc are currently three points off eighth-placed Lille in the final automatic qualifying position, but the group table is so tightly contested that there are plenty of clubs in the race and only eight positions to fill.
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Unlike their opponents, the visitors have made a bright start to the new year and Unai Emery's side have won seven out of their last 11 fixtures in all competitions.
Villa surpassed all expectations by qualifying for the Champions League with a surprise fourth-place finish in the Premier League last season.
Now more than halfway through their Premier League campaign, the visitors are in contention for the top four once again, as they sit eighth in the table, just two points off fourth.
They have continued to silence the doubters, having put in several fine performances in Europe this season, including impressive victories against German sides Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig, as well as a goalless draw with Juventus.
A major reason behind their success in Europe has been their strength in defence, as Villa have kept four clean sheets in their six games in the competition to date.
Although their only defeat in the competition came away to Club Brugge in November, Emery's team have won their other two away games in Europe.
Their away record this season has been disappointing overall though, and Villa have lost six out of their last nine away from home in all competitions.
However, there have been recent signs of recovery, as they came from two goals behind against Arsenal at the weekend to grab a point, and they also saw off Everton at Goodison Park earlier in the week.
They will look to continue their recent improvements, as they hit the road on Tuesday, looking to stamp their ticket to the knockout phases of Europe's premier football competition.
Team News
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Monaco have several injury worries ahead of the match, with former Arsenal player Folarin Balogun ruled out due to a shoulder injury.
Elsewhere, George Ilenikhena is due to miss the next three to four weeks with an adductor injury, while Krepin Diatta is out for a few weeks due to a muscle injury.
In further disappointing news for the hosts, Wilfried Singo (back) and Denis Zakaria (illness) are doubts for this clash, having missed Friday's defeat to Montpellier.
Meanwhile, Villa's John McGinn has returned to training following a thigh injury, but he is a doubt for this match.
To add to Emery's frustrations, Diego Carlos is suspended, while Ross Barkley (calf) and Pau Torres (ankle) are out for this match.
Amadou Onana could also miss this clash, having been taken off during the first half in the weekend's draw at Arsenal due to injury.
Monaco possible starting lineup:
Majecki; Henrique, Salisu, Kehrer, Vanderson; Camara, Magassa, Akliouche, Golovin, Ben Seghir; Embolo
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Digne, Mings, Konsa, Cash; Kamara, Ramsey, Rogers, Tielemans, Bailey; Watkins
We say: Monaco 1-2 Aston Villa
The visitors have been one of the best stories to follow in the competition this season and have performed admirably in their matches so far.
We think they get yet another win here, as they are starting to hit a bit of form again following a slump earlier in the season.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Tom Humphrey
