The Matchday 7 clash in the 2024/25 Champions League group stage between Monaco (France) and Aston Villa (England) will take place on January 21 at the Louis II Stadium in Fontvieille. Monaco vs. Aston Villa: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Slavko Vincic (Slovenia)
Matches – 7 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 26;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.7;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 14%.
Predicted lineups for Monaco vs. Aston Villa
Monaco (4-2-3-1): Radoslaw Majecki – Vanderson, Thilo Kehrer, Wilfried Singo, Caio Henrique – Denis Zakaria, Lamine Camara – Takumi Minamino, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Aleksandr Golovin – Breel Embolo.
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez – Lucas Digne, Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings – Youri Tielemans, Boubacar Kamara – Morgan Rogers, Amadou Onana, Leon Bailey – Ollie Watkins.
Monaco
The Monegasques started well in the Champions League group stage, securing three wins and one draw in their first four matches. However, in their last two games, they lost at home to Benfica (2-3) and away to Arsenal (0-3). As a result, Adi Hutter's side has slipped to 16th in the standings, with only a three-point cushion above the 25th spot. Notably, before the defeat to the Gunners, the team hadn't suffered a heavy loss in the Champions League for six years.
Forward Folarin Balogun is sidelined due to injury.
- At least three goals have been scored in regular time in 6 of Monaco's last 7 matches in this European competition.
- Both teams have scored in 7 of the last 9 Champions League games involving the French side.
- Monaco has not won the first half in 11 of their last 13 home matches in this tournament (3 draws and 8 losses).
Aston Villa
The Birmingham side secured an important victory in the last round, defeating Leipzig 3-2 away. Prior to this, the English team had failed to score in two consecutive Champions League matches, losing to Club Brugge (0-1) and drawing with Juventus (0-0). The win over the Germans kept them in the top eight. A victory in the upcoming match will secure their place in the Champions League playoffs. Unai Emery's defense deserves mention, having conceded only three goals (only three teams have a better defense in the group stage).
Defender Diego Carlos will miss the match due to yellow card accumulation. Midfielders Ross Barkley and John McGinn, along with defender Pau Torres, are out due to injuries.
- At least one team has failed to score in 5 of Aston Villa's last 6 matches in this European competition.
- No more than three goals have been scored in 5 of Aston Villa's last 6 Champions League matches.
- In all five of the English side's previous matches in this tournament, the first half ended in a draw.
Monaco vs. Aston Villa: Match Prediction
If the hosts drop points, their chances of advancing to the next round of the Champions League will diminish. I anticipate this will be the case, as Monaco has only managed one win against a strong opponent in the group stage, defeating Barcelona at the tournament's start. The Monegasques lack consistency in the elite European competition and rarely overcome opponents from Europe's top leagues. Notably, in their last 26 Champions League matches, Monaco has won only five times in regular time (7 draws and 14 losses).
Aston Villa has only faltered once in the Champions League – against Club Brugge. The English team has already demonstrated their strength against top clubs: drawing with Juventus and securing victories over Bayern Munich and Leipzig. I am confident that Unai Emery's side will take points from the Louis II Stadium, as the visitors can afford to play defensively with an eye on a draw, unlike the hosts, who cannot afford a compromise result, as they face Inter in the final round. The rush and determination to secure three points will work against the French side. I am confident that the Birmingham team will catch them on the counterattack.
My prediction – Aston Villa to win or draw
