Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has said he fears his side's 1-0 defeat to AS Monaco on Tuesday may have cost them their chance to finish in the top eight of the Champions League. Villa, who are in Europe's top club competition for the first time since 1983,

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.

"Getting top eight is very important as we play fewer matches and we can try to enjoy it and compete at our best, individually and collectively. "But it will be very difficult."