The World Cup-winner could have done a lot more to prevent Monaco's winning goal on Tuesday night
Aston Villa's incredible run in the Champions League stuttered again, this time at the hands of Monaco, who beat Unai Emery's side 1-0.
Despite the scoreline, the visitors played well but lacked a clinical edge in the final third and have dropped down the league phase standings.
Villa found themselves behind after just eight minutes, thanks to Wilfried Singo's follow-up header from a corner. Emi Martinez could only parry Thilo Kehrer's initial effort straight into the sky and the defender was quickest to respond, nodding into an empty net to break the deadlock.
Momentum then switched in Villa's favour as they hunted an equaliser and they had plenty of opportunities to find one in the first half. Leon Bailey saw a good effort saved by Radoslaw Majecki, while Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins both went close as well.
The away side trudged down the tunnel at half-time trailing and there was a look of frustration on the face of several Premier League stars. It was a similar story in the second half, too. Matty Cash flashed a strike wide of the goal from the right-hand side and substitute Jhon Duran was lively when he came on.
But Emery's men lacked the required energy to drag themselves back into the game and fell at the hands of their Ligue 1 opponents, who move level on points with them in the Champions League standings.
GOAL rates Aston Villa's players from Stade-Louis II…
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Emiliano Martinez (5/10):
Produced a couple of important stops but ultimately made the mistake that cost Villa points on the night.
Matty Cash (6/10):
Flashed an effort wide in the second half at 1-0 down but other than that was not involved in much.
Ezri Konsa (6/10):
Did not have much to do with Villa dominating the game but posed the occasional threat from set pieces.
Tyrone Mings (7/10):
Struggled at times against Arsenal last weekend but bounced back with a much more confident performance.
Lucas Digne (5/10):
Most of Monaco's attacks came down his side and more than once he was nowhere to be seen as the hosts charged in on goal.
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Youri Tielemans (6/10):
Was less lively than usual and was not getting forward as much as he usually does under Emery. The Belgian was uncharacteristically passive on his return to Monaco.
Boubacar Kamara (7/10):
Did his defensive duties well and covered his team-mates when the hosts came forward on the counter attack.
Emiliano Buendia (7/10):
Grew into the game, particularly in the second half. Had a few lovely moments in the final third, demonstrating his quick feet and setting up multiple chances that were not taken.
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Leon Bailey (5/10):
Struggled to make any impression on the Monaco defence and was unsurprisingly hooked for Duran early in the second half.
Ollie Watkins (6/10):
Started brightly and played his usual role in behind the defence but looked leggy in the second half, making a few sloppy passes and struggling to make an impact.
Morgan Rogers (7/10):
Was Villa's creator-in-chief and had a few good chances saved, as well as a penalty shout. The England youngster would have had a few assists on another day as well.
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Jhon Duran (7/10):
Was without a doubt one of Villa's liveliest players when he came on, having a good effort saved by the goalkeeper.
Ian Maatsen (6/10):
Emery introduced the Dutchman to add an extra bit of quality going forward but the ex-Chelsea defender barely touched the ball.
Jacob Ramsey (N/A):
Came on for the final five in a last throw of the dice for Villa.
Lamare Bogard (N/A):
Was brought on alongside Ramsey as another attacking body.
Unai Emery (6/10):
Villa looked very tired in the second half and the head coach could have introduced fresh legs sooner to freshen things up.