49 – GOAL! ATALANTA 2-0 Sturm Graz
The home side double their lead through DE KETELAERE!
No1 a disadvantage?
Arne Slot was quizzed on the importance of finishing top of the standings but insisted it MIGHT not be the advantage people would think.
He said: “The most important thing every time we go out there, especially in front of our own fans, we want to win a game.
“With this new set-up, you think that ending up No.1 is the best position to end up with, but because it is such a strange league table – because, for example, I think I’m right, if I look at Paris Saint-Germain, every week I think they have the hardest team to face.
“So, they are quite low on the table, which is not their quality, but they are low. So maybe if you end up No.1 you can face them. Then it’s a disadvantage.”
From Graeme Bryce in Monaco
What a poor first-half by Villa, who looked sluggish and sloppy in equal measure.
Monaco deserved their lead and could have doubled it on the stroke of half-time when Takumi Minamino played in Maghnes Akliouche.
But, with the goal at his mercy, the winger blazed his shot over.
Let’s hope Monaco live to regret that crucial miss.
Villa did spark into life briefly before that scare.
But Ollie Watkins’ low shot was brilliantly turned round the post by Monaco keeper Radoslaw Majecki.
Villa need to up it by several gears in the second half.
HALF TIME!
We’ve reached the break in the two early kick-offs in tonight’s Champions League.
- Atalanta 1-0 Sturm Graz
- Monaco 1-0 Aston Villa
45+3 – Monaco 1-0 Aston Villa
What a save again but Watkins HAS to score.
Buendia again with a terrific little reverse pass between the centre backs for Watkins with just the keeper to beat. He fires low to the keeper’s right and the big stopper gets down to get his fingertips to it and nudge it wide.
Huge chance right before the break.
