Monaco are set to face Aston Villa for the first time in their respective histories, a momentous occasion that promises to be a highlight in the UEFA Champions League calendar. Historically, Monaco have demonstrated a formidable home record against English clubs in this prestigious tournament, winning four of their last five matches at the Stade Louis II, with only one defeat to their name. Noteworthy victories include triumphs over Chelsea and Liverpool in 2004, Tottenham Hotspur in 2016, and Manchester City in 2017, as reported by the BBC.
In contrast, Aston Villa have encountered difficulties in away fixtures against French teams during European competitions, managing just two draws and two losses in their last four encounters. Their most recent outing ended in disappointment, as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Lille in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Conference League last season.
Aston Villa's manager, Unai Emery, brings a wealth of experience to this fixture, boasting an impeccable record against Monaco, having won all six of his previous encounters while in charge of Paris Saint-Germain. The aggregate score from those meetings heavily favours Emery’s sides, with an impressive tally of 23 goals scored and only four conceded. His most memorable victory came in April 2018, when his team secured a resounding 7-1 win in Ligue 1.
This season, Monaco began their UEFA Champions League campaign in promising fashion, remaining unbeaten in their first four matches (W3 D1). However, they have since faced a downturn, suffering consecutive defeats to Benfica (2-3) and Arsenal (0-3). This troubling trend has seen them become the first team in Champions League history to concede three or more goals in three consecutive matches.
Aston Villa, on the other hand, have collected six points from their away games in the Champions League this season, showcasing their attacking prowess with three goals in each of their two victories—3-0 against Young Boys and 3-2 against RB Leipzig. Only Atalanta (9), Liverpool (9), and Feyenoord (7) have amassed more points on the road in this season’s tournament.
Monaco have also been potent in attack, scoring nine of their twelve Champions League goals in three home matches. Their previous record for goals scored in a group stage campaign at home stands at 13, achieved during the 2003-04 season.
Unai Emery holds the distinction of having the highest average margin of victory among managers with ten or more wins in the UEFA Champions League, boasting an impressive +2.9 from his 26 victories. This statistic underscores his tactical acumen and ability to galvanise his teams in high-stakes matches.
This season, Monaco have displayed remarkable depth in their scoring, with ten different players finding the net—a feat last matched by Napoli in the 2022-23 group stage when they had 11 different scorers.
Aston Villa's Jhon Duran has made a notable impact in the competition, netting three goals in just six appearances, despite starting only once against Bologna. His scoring rate of 68 minutes per goal ranks among the best for players from English clubs in the tournament, highlighting his potential as a key player for Villa.
In terms of disciplinary records, Monaco's Lamine Camara stands out, having committed 15 fouls this season, three of which have resulted in cautions for opponents. Only Sporting CP’s Trinco and Celtic’s Arne Engels have registered more fouls leading to cards, each with four.
As these two teams prepare for their historic encounter, fans can anticipate a thrilling display of talent and tactical prowess in the UEFA Champions League, with both clubs eager to make their mark on this prestigious stage.