Monaco vs. Aston Villa team news: How many changes has Unai Emery made for crucial Champions League game?

Monaco and Aston Villa have named their starting lineups for Tuesday's Champions League fixture.

Unai Emery's side head into this encounter knowing that victory will move them to within touching distance of sealing a top-eight finish and a place in the last 16.

As a result, the Spaniard has opted to make just the three changes to his first XI from Saturday evening's 2-2 draw at Arsenal.

With Amadou Onana missing out through injury, Youri Tielemans drops back into a deeper midfield role, allowing Emiliano Buendia to be handed a rare opportunity in a high-profile game.

Lucas Digne has been restored to left-back in place of Ian Maatsen, while Leon Bailey is recalled as an alternative to Jacob Ramsey.

However, Emery has opted to retain Ollie Watkins in his starting lineup rather than hand previous Champions League star Jhon Duran a role in attack.

© Imago

Hutter rings Monaco change

Meanwhile, Adi Hutter has reacted to Monaco's surprise 2-1 reverse at Montpellier by making alterations all over the pitch.

Former Chelsea midfielder Denis Zakaria and Switzerland international Breel Embolo are among the players who have been restored to the side.

Vanderson has also been introduced at right-back with Jordan Teze a high-profile name to drop down to the substitutes' bench alongside Mohammed Salisu.

Monaco XI: Majecki; Vanderson, Singo, Kehrer, Mawissa Elebi; Zakaria, Camara; Akliouche, Minamino, Ben Seghir; Embolo

Subs: Bouabre, Henrique, Diatta, Diop, Golovin, Kohn, Lienard, Magassa, Michal, Ouattara, Salisu, Tete

Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Buendia, Tielemans, Kamara, Bailey; Rogers; Watkins

Subs: Gauci, Olsen, Nedeljkovic, Bogarde, Maatsen, Swinkels, Young, Ramsey, Duran

Written by
Darren Plant