Monaco 1-0 Aston Villa: Player ratings as Singo sinks toothless Villans | OneFootball

A solitary strike from Wilfried Singo afforded Monaco a narrow 1-0 Champions League victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday night.

Unai Emery challenged his players to become a "protagonist" of this season's Champions League. They struggled to fulfil the leading role at Stade Louis-II this midweek, falling behind to an early and deserved opener.

Emi Martinez did well to rebuff Thilo Kehrer's thunderous header from a corner in the eighth minute, but was helpless as Singo charged in to bundle the hosts in front.

The Premier League visitors gradually eased their way back in to the contest, which was fittingly watched in the principality by Prince William, a staunch Villa fan. This royal affair proved to be the setting for a rare outing of Jhon Duran alongside Ollie Watkins.

Villa's two strikers, who have both hit double digits already this season, scarcely appear on the pitch together. Yet, that was the bold approach Emery turned to ten minutes into the second half as he desperately sought a way back into this league phase clash.

However, both Watkins and Duran struggled to make an impact against a Monaco side that was increasingly keen on sitting back and hitting Villa on the counter, mustering just a single shot each.

Defeat leaves Villa on 13 points after seven Champions League games - the same tally as their victorious hosts. It remains to be seen what position this tally affords them by the end of this week's penultimate round of league phase fixtures, but both sides will still very much be in contention to finish in one of the top eight spots which guarantee automatic qualification to the round of 16.

Monaco player ratings (4-2-3-1)

Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche was a threat on Tuesday / CHRISTOPHE SIMON/GettyImages

*Ratings provided by FotMob*

Subs not used: Philipp Kohn (GK), Yann Lienard (GK), Caio Henrique, Kassoum Ouattara, Krepin Diatta, Mohammed Salisu, Edan Diop, Saimon Boubare

Aston Villa player ratings (4-2-3-1)

Emi Buendia didn't shirk his defensive duties for Aston Villa / CHRISTOPHE SIMON/GettyImages

*Ratings provided by FotMob*

Subs not used: Joa Gauci (GK), Robin Olsen (GK), Kosta Nedeljkovic, Sil Swinkels, Kadan Young