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.

It is a word Unai Emery has taken to using a lot. "We are very motivated playing Champions League," he said on Monday, after Villa arrived in Monaco. In his quiet way, Emery is gently raising Aston Villa's sights in the Champions League,

Villa's hopes of going straight through to the Champions League round of 16 have taken a hit after they were beaten by Adi Hutter's side

Prince William was in Monaco to watch Aston Villa in the Champions League. But the future king of England couldn’t bring his beloved team luck as the Premier League side fell to a 1-0 defeat at Stade Louis II.

"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."

Use precise geolocation data and actively scan device characteristics for identification. This is done to store and access information on a device and to provide personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. List of Partners (vendors)

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

Until this week, his ire was chiefly aimed towards the officials and why, in his mind, Aston Villa had been “unluckier with the refereeing this season.” Advertisement Defeat in Monaco made Emery turn inwards.

AS Monaco secured a sedate 1-0 win over Aston Villa in the UEFA Champions League to move to 13 points in the league phase, and very likely ensure that France has at leas