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.

In his quiet way, Emery is gently raising Aston Villa's sights in the Champions League, just as he did in the Premier League after taking over in November 2022.

Villa's hopes of going straight through to the Champions League round of 16 have taken a hit after they were beaten by Adi Hutter's side

Unai Emery feels Aston Villa have blown their Champions League top-eight chances - The 1-0 defeat was just Villa’s second from seven matches in an impressive debut season.

"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."

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.

Unai Emery has reminded Villa to look on the bright side despite Tuesday’s defeat at Monaco damaging their Champions League top-eight hopes.

Prince William was in Monaco to watch Aston Villa in the Champions League. But the future king of England couldn’t bring his beloved team luck as the Premier League side fell to a 1-0 defeat at Stade Louis II.