Aston Villa

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery speaking to TNT Sports about his team selection in Monaco: "It is difficult to respond to this question. I am very happy with Jhon Duran and we are coping more or less with playing how many games in one week.

"Here is a key moment if we want to be in the top eight. I think we will be there if we win today but losing could make it complicated. Monaco can be very competitive and have experience in Europe.

"I know it is very difficult to play here and they will be very motivated. It is a special stadium and I like to play here. It is how we can manage our wishes and desires to do our best to win the match."

Image source, Getty Images

Only Atalanta (nine), Liverpool (nine) and Feyenoord (seven) have won more points in Champions League away games so far this season than Aston Villa (six), who have scored exactly three goals in their two away victories in the competition (3-0 v Young Boys, 3-2 v RB Leipzig).

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Lots of players that you might know play for Monaco, like [ex-Liverpool midfielder Takumi] Minamino and [former Chelsea midfielder Denis] Zakaria. However, if Villa play to their very best they should win it.

I wouldn't be surprised at a draw, but there will be goals.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery speaking to TNT Sports: "They have experienced players as a club in Europe. We have to try to reach our target as a club in Europe.

"Kamara, Lucas Duigne and Tielemans have played here. I have played here two times. I know they will be very motivated. It is not a big stadium with the crowd but it is a special stadium. We will try to show our best to win the match."

Joleon Lescott
Former Aston Villa defender on TNT Sports

Akliouche is an exciting talent and has great balance and can create great opportunities.

But Monaco's wingers are going to have to do their defensive work as well to nullify Villa's threats. It's not going to be all about attacking.

Image source, Reuters

Another team flying high in the Champions League is Barcelona. After tasting defeat to Monaco in the opening game, Hansi Flick's side have gone on to win five on the spin as they currently occupy second spot.

Can the sensational Lamine Yamal showcase his talents yet again?

Image source, Getty Images

This is a real clash of the titans. Second in La Liga v second in the Bundesliga. Just a point separates Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen before they go toe-to-toe in Spain with both sides chasing one of those eight automatic qualification spots.

Buckle up, this one could be a cracker.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool can wrap up their spot in the last 16 with a point against Lille tonight after an incredible six wins from six.

Remember, the top eight qualify automatically for the knockout rounds and the Reds are currently six points adrift of Borussia Dortmund in ninth.

Image source, Getty Images

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

You are not weakening the team if you play Duran instead of Watkins. Both great players and great goalscorers.

They have got so many great options up front so it shouldn't make a difference. They are definitely capable of winning here.

Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa does not think it is a "surprise" that the team are in the top eight of the Champions League.

Villa currently sit fifth in the table in the new Champions League format that sees the top eight teams qualify automatically for the next round.

They have guaranteed a place in the play-offs at least and now face Monaco looking to put themselves in a strong position for automatic qualification heading into the final game.

"It is terrific [our position]. Finding out the teams we were going to play, we knew it would be difficult. We are a team that believes in ourselves, especially with the manager we have.

"He has put so much confidence into us. Going into every game, we were confident we were going to win, no matter who we were up against.

"I wouldn't say it is a surprise [we are up there]. We are great team and I think we have proven it. Long may we continue doing that."

Image source, Getty Images

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

I remember when Chelsea won their second Champions League, they were so much outsiders, you could not believe it and they were a long way off the best Chelsea team I have seen.

But there they were, winning the competition in Porto. It can happen when you get a decent run and you get a bit of luck. Aston Villa fans will be quick to tell you they have done it before!

We won't see him in action tonight, but Unai Emery has made another signing in this transfer window.

Villa have signed defender Andres Garcia from Spanish Segunda Division side Levante.

Garcia has made the move to Villa Park for an undisclosed fee, with Villa also not revealing the length of the contract.

The 21-year-old full-back came through the ranks at Levante before breaking into the first team and has scored three times this season.

Garcia joins fellow new arrival Donyell Malen in Unai Emery’s squad following the Netherlands international forward’s move from Borussia Dortmund last week.

If Villa progress in the Champions League, they will be able to make three changes to their squad for the knockout-phases, so we could see Garcia and Malen in Villa's colours later in this tournament.

Image source, Aston Villa

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Aston Villa are in a great position. They are playing well and if they win this one it's almost certain they will finish in the top eight.

They will want that as it will give them two extra days of rest, so it is a big game.

The Champions League campaign has been a lot of fun for Aston Villa fans, including a memorable 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in a repeat of the 1982 European Cup final and a goalless draw against Juventus.

Unai Emery's side have won four, drawn one and lost one - a 1-0 loss to Club Bruges after Tyrone Mings conceded a bizarre penalty when he picked up the ball in the penalty area, not realising a goal kick had been taken.

Mike Taylor
BBC WM commentator in Monaco

Many Aston Villa fans I have spoken to on this trip seem on one level amazed that the top eight is such a real possibility now, but also feel their team entirely deserves it.

"Maybe 17 is the points we need," says Unai Emery, and a draw here and a win over Celtic next week would take them to that. But, in his now established way with Villa, Emery challenges his team to aim higher.

"Our opportunity - and our objective - is to try to get 19 points, because with 19 points, for sure we will be there."

As always feel free to send us your thoughts on all the action by contacting us.

A big day for 2023 champions Manchester City tomorrow as they play at Paris St-Germain, another side that are in danger of missing out on the next phase.