Villa were linked with Randal Kolo Muani before the Paris Saint-Germain striker sealed a loan move to Juventus. The Frenchman is similar to Malen in that he can play out wide and up top in attack. Emery could still turn to his former employers for more attacking reinforcements.

Ollie Watkins started the game in attack for the visitors before being joined by Jhon Duran, but Unai Emery admitted his move backfired

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has said he fears his side's 1-0 defeat to AS Monaco on Tuesday may have cost them their chance to finish in the top eight of the Champions League.

Aston Villa spurned the chance to wrap up qualification into the last 16 of the Champions League as they were beaten 1-0 by Monaco after a thoroughly underwhelming display

Aston Villa 's Champions League qualification fate will go down to the final league phase match after they lost 1-0 at Monaco. Unai Emery's side could have put one foot in the last 16 had they emerged from the Principality with victory, but they succumbed to Wilfried Singo's early goal and were unable to find a way back.

"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."

A 1-0 defeat to Monaco on Thursday night means the Villians will need to beat the Hoops next week and get some help from results elsewhere to claim a top eight finish

It is a word Unai Emery has taken to using a lot. "We are very motivated playing Champions League," he said on Monday, after Villa arrived in Monaco. In his quiet way, Emery is gently raising Aston Villa's sights in the Champions League,