In his quiet way, Emery is gently raising Aston Villa's sights in the Champions League, just as he did in the Premier League after taking over in November 2022.

Aston Villa 's Champions League qualification fate will go down to the final league phase match after they lost 1-0 at Monaco. Unai Emery's side could have put one foot in the last 16 had they emerged from the Principality with victory, but they succumbed to Wilfried Singo's early goal and were unable to find a way back.

Aston Villa spurned the chance to wrap up qualification into the last 16 of the Champions League as they were beaten 1-0 by Monaco after a thoroughly underwhelming display