"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."

Passing into the mouth of danger once and being bitten early did not scare Villa away from their desire to play the same way. When passes were crisp and accurate, they broke through Monaco lines, with Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey all having shooting opportunities.

Aston Villa have passed up the chance to cement themselves in the Champions League top eight after losing 1-0 at Monaco