Two English teams are taking part in the Champions League on Tuesday, and we will bring you every moment.
Monaco v Aston Villa - 17:45 GMT - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Liverpool v Lille - 20:00 GMT - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter in Monaco
Image source, Getty Images"Protagonist: the main figure, or one of the most prominent figures in a situation," says the dictionary. 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. "For me, it's very special, and I am transmitting it to the players as well, trying to feel it, to play Europe... We want to compete and try to be a protagonist in this competition."
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.
First, he stabilised them, banishing fears of relegation, but then he was among the first to talk up the possibility of a run for Europe. Last season, he was more measured at first, but as the possibility of a top-four finish took form, Emery talked them up without ever suggesting over-confidence.
So it has been with this campaign: first talking of being competitive, then of trying to qualify, and now of finishing in the top section of the grand table.
Generating enough confidence in your players so they believe they can achieve great things, without over-inflating them, is an art.
Ezri Konsa, one of those whose career has pushed forward under Emery, testifies that it works.
"He's put so much confidence into us. Going into every game we believed we were going to win, no matter who we were up against," the defender said of their Champions League run so far.
"So I wouldn't say it's a surprise. We're a good team, and I think we've proved it."
Many 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 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."
Listen to full commentary of Monaco v Aston Villa at 17:45 GMT on Tuesday on BBC Radio WM
David Michael
Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images"My dream is to win the Champions League," said Unai Emery in a pre-match press conference at the end of 2023, as Aston Villa re-entered European football after a lengthy absence. For a manager who boasts four Europa League titles - three with Sevilla and one with Villarreal - it's the natural next step.
Few outside Emery's football department believe Villa can win this season's Champions League. Yet, all would have dismissed the possibility of Emery winning three consecutive Europa League titles with Sevilla (2014, 2015 and 2016), as equally implausible.
Villa's European journey this season has mirrored their historic pedigree. Winners and quarter-finalists in the European Cup more than four decades ago, they've re-established themselves among Europe's elite, sitting comfortably in the top eight of the league stage - even topping the group at one point.
Their recent turnaround in away form has come just in time for their crucial trip to Monaco, ahead of their closing home game against Celtic. A visit to the Emirates last week saw fifth place Villa take on third in the Champions League standings, a game that showcased their potential resolve against top-tier opponents. In recent weeks, Emery has also started to play the defensive midfield screen provided by Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana, a partnership designed to make Villa robust for the knockout rounds.
Villa have bolstered their squad in the transfer market by adding Donyell Malen. Alongside Ian Maatsen, they now have two players who featured in last season's Champions League final, as Emery fine-tunes his team for the challenges ahead.
With two months until the last-16 round, Villa are hopeful of emerging as a stronger version of themselves. Emery's first words to his players when he took over at Villa, repeated to the press before their league-stage win over Bologna, still resonate: "I don't want to waste my time here."
The longer Villa stay in the Champions League, the more his time will be anything but wasted.
Find more from David Michael at My Old Man Said, external
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Premier League winger Pat Nevin says Ason Villa "are in a great position" to qualify in the top eight of the Champions League and they should be able to overcome Monaco no matter what changes Unai Emery makes.
"He is not weakening the team if he plays Jhon Duran instead of Ollie Watkins as both of them score goals and are super players," said Nevin on BBC Radio 5 Live.
"Wakins is back in good form, but they have so many options upfront when you look at Morgan Rogers, Jacob Ramsey and their new signing Donyell Malen.
"They could make changes and it shouldn't make any difference as they are capable of winning this game. It won't be easy and I think there will be goals, but it is winnable.
"They 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."
Image source, Getty ImagesAston Villa boss Unai Emery says he has told his "players to try to feel" how special Champions League football is when they travel to Monaco on Tuesday.
Following four wins and a draw, Villa are fifth in the 36-team league table and on track for a top-eight finish, which would fast track them to the knockout stages.
"We are very motivated playing Champions League as for a long time we didn't play [in it]," said Emery. "Europe is very special so I tell the players to try to feel it.
"We want to compete and be protagonists. We need three or four more points to get top eight and that is our target.
"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."
West Ham have had a £57m bid for Jhon Duran rejected by Aston Villa, who are determined not to sell the forward valued at £80m during the current transfer window. (Telegraph - subscription required), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesAston 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 on Tuesday 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 ImagesWe asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Arsenal and Aston Villa.
Here are some of your comments:
Arsenal fans:
Pauline: Arsenal are not been led by the right manager - Arteta needs to be gone at the end of the season. Unfortunately Arsenal will win nothing under him this season. Extremely disappointing. Liverpool would never give up a two goal lead, they fight right to the end. Arsenal don't do this.
Matteo: Same story... Not enough movement up front, combined with not enough determination to run forward and a reluctance to take shooting opportunities! Defence almost perfect, but not quite. Outstanding Martinelli, Trossard and Lewis -Skelly. It not over yet, but worrying!
Martin: William Saliba was definitely missed. Such poor character to lose a 2-0 lead, and we need to cut Thomas Partey loose. I didn't think Havertz handballed, looked like it hit his stomach, but still we shouldn't have been in that position, and it makes the league more difficult now.
Dan: Sadly, like last season, I think that was the game to lose us the title, given how good Liverpool are right now. I, like many others, am really losing patience with Arteta. In just over five years, he's only won one FA Cup, which was with a squad mainly built by Emery and Wenger! It's simply not good enough. I think we'll only keep him if we somehow win the Champions League.
Aston Villa fans:
Samuel: The greatest improvement that Emery has made in his time at Villa is the unbelievable mentality this team has. Even when we're 2-0 down at the Emirates, and not playing particularly well, we don't give up and get things done!
Ian: Good all round performance and I think if we were a bit more positive we could have sneaked it. Showed great character to come back from two down but I think it was a fair result against a good side in Arsenal. Hopefully we get the right result in Monaco and when we get some of the injured players back and perhaps one or two additions in transfer window we can look forward to good second half of the season. Keep the faith!
Paul: Battling performance against the tide of Arsenal pressure. At 2-0 we were dead and buried but Unai changed tactics, went on the attack and in the end we could have won it when Bogarde should have put his foot through it. Immense team performance and Monaco here we come!
Steve: Backs to the wall for the larger parts of the opening 60 minutes before Tielemans got us back in the game. Watkins loves scoring against Arsenal and all Villains are delighted he extended that record with the equaliser. Cash exposed for both opening goals and it remains an area of defensive concern for Unai Emery.
Image source, Getty ImagesTyrone Mings says Unai Emery has been key to helping the team balance all of the competitions they have been playing this season, and believes the club "deserves" to be play consistently in the Champions League.
Speaking about his manager, Mings said: "He's been brilliant. It always helps to have someone who's been there and done it and had experience in European competitions and also knows how to find the balance in placing the importance in our consistency in the Premier League but also the mental peaks and troughs from Champions League nights. It's something different for us and the fans.
"He's been very clear that we can't take away from what is our main goal which is to ultimately qualify for the Champions League again and to do that we need to be consistent over 38 games in the Premier League
"His experience has been really valuable. I'm sure balancing European competitions, Premier League and the FA Cup will show later in the season.
"Once you've had a taste of the Champions League, the manager is really keen on it not being a one-off and it's what this club deserves."
Mings has started the last four games for Villa, after spending a long time out with a knee injury, and speaking about his time on the sidelines he said: "I obviously went through a really tough period with my knee injury. Coming back it's always tough to find a rhythm and get back into the flow of everything that you take for granted when you're playing.
"Now to be back in the swing of things I feel great and better each week - long may it continue!"
He knows that he's still got a long way to go until he's 100% again, and believes the last 20% of rehab is in playing games, but speaking about how long he thinks it will be until he's in perfect condition, he said: "I would say another 3 or 4 months of playing continuously is when I will stop thinking about the injury.
"The fact that I've been out, and to stop being so rusty in certain situations - there are so many things that you only experience in a game.
"There is no grace period - you're either good or you're not."
Watch highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures.
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Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
Image source, Getty ImagesAston Villa boss Unai Emery, has been speaking to Sky Sports after the game: "Fantastic. Brilliant how the players reacted after the two goals - it was fantastic. In our mentality, we never give up and today we never gave up and we tried to score. Arsenal were pushing and creating some chances, but even with that we have another.
"Arsenal are very powerful at home. This is the level we want to be close to, but we still have work to do as they're very strong. To compete like we did is the only way to get something here."
On Lucas Digne replacing Ian Maatsen: "He [Lucas Digne] played fantastic. Maatsen played fantastic in the first half. Of course, today Martinelli was difficult for Ian Maatsen and for Lucas Digne, but both did a fantastic job. Never give up. In that moment, in the mind, that was it."
On playing in the Champions League next: "Now we are going to enjoy Champions League and of course to compete. Of course, building a team changing some small players in the squad and trying to use this transfer window to get stronger for the second part of the season."
Image source, Getty ImagesAston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans told BBC Sport after today's draw: "We came back really well into the game. The [first] goal gave us freedom and belief. It's not an easy task. They were on top of us for 60 minutes."
"From our point of view [a good result] is always deserved. We take the point and move forward. They had many chances but we defended with our bodies on the line. 2-2 is a good result for us. First half we had a couple of counters, misplaced passes from me which could have put Ollie Watkins in.
"We fought really well to come back into the game.
"[It's a] big win. We have had some bad results away from home. We just need that consistency away from home because we're doing well at Villa Park. It gives us a massive boost of confidence for the rest of the season."
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal have failed to win a Premier League home game in which they led by 2+ goals for the first time since October 2019 (2-2 vs Crystal Palace), having won each of their past 46 before tonight.
Aston Villa avoided defeat in a Premier League away game in which they trailed by 2+ goals for the first time since November 2013 (2-2 vs West Bromwich Albion), ending a run of 52 straight defeats.
Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?
Have your say on Arsenal's performance
What did you make of Aston Villa's display?
Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies
There are five Premier League fixtures on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you all the action.
Newcastle v Bournemouth (12:30)
Brentford v Liverpool - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Leicester v Fulham
West Ham v Crystal Palace
Arsenal v Aston Villa (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated
This was the game that did it for Arsenal last season. They won 16 of their last 18 league games, but had one bad half against Aston Villa and the defeat cost them the title.
That memory must still hurt but it might actually help Mikel Arteta's side focus on getting the job done this time.
Villa come into this game after a good win at Everton but they allowed David Moyes' side to have a few opportunities.
The Gunners deserved their win over Tottenham on Wednesday and I can see them building on that performance, by finding their ruthless touch.
Sutton's prediction: 2-0
Henry Brownsey
BBC Sport journalist
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Arsenal (kick-off 17:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
It is possible new signing Donyell Malan could be involved at Emirates Stadium.
Emery praised the versatility of the Dutch forward: "He is used to playing as a seven, sometimes as an 11 on the left, but he can also play as a number 10. He's always close to the opponent's net to score and assist goals. We need a player like him to be a threat to the opponent in behind."
The Villa boss did not rule out a January exit for Diego Carlos, but said that if someone left, they "have to sign another player to replace them."
The Brazil defender "is not feeling good" so is expected to miss tomorrow's game along with Pau Torres, John McGinn and Ross Barkley.
On fellow centre-back Tyrone Mings: "[He is] fantastic - how he is progressively helping the team, his attitude and commitment to the club. Last year and at the beginning of this season, he was not feeling 100%. When he came in for Pau Torres, it was his moment and now he is helping the team."
The defender has played every minute in the past three games and Emery warned Villa "have to be careful".
He said he wants the defender to stay at Aston Villa "for a long time", adding: "Very happy with his attitude and commitment - he is a leader of other players. He is very important for the direction of the squad with the message we want for the players about being demanding here at Aston Villa."
On Villa's first visit to title-chasing Arsenal since beating them last April on the way to finishing in the top four: "Different circumstances. In that moment, it was very special. They were involved in the Champions League - we were in the Conference League. We competed very well and we won - but it was very difficult."
However, he says the task against Arsenal is "very, very difficult": "We are prepared and very motivated - we will try to improve on things from Everton. [Arsenal] are a candidate to win the Premier League.
Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Full commentary of Arsenal v Aston Villa from 17:30 GMT on Saturday on BBC Radio 5 Live
Image source, PA MediaAston Villa striker Jhon Duran has been fined £15,000 by the Football Association for improper conduct after being sent off in the game against Newcastle on 26 December.
The Aston Villa forward admitted that he acted in an improper manner in the 32nd minute of the game.
He kicked a water bottle after leaving the pitch and had to be restrained by a member of Villa's backroom staff.
