Champions League LIVE SCORES: Liverpool CONFIRM place in Last 16, Barcelona BEAT Benfica 5-4 in thriller – updates

NO GOAL

Offside awarded so that game stays 1-0.

As it does in France, where Monaco vs Aston Villa is back underway!

Hang on...

VAR are involved...

Liverpool team news

LIVERPOOL XI: Alisson, Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai, Diaz, Salah, Nunez

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.

42 - Monaco 1-0 Aston Villa

Konsa is back gingerly to his feet. He heads to the side but looks in a bit of pain with his ankle.

Great to see him on his feet though and he looks as though he will be able to continue which is really positive.

Worrying scenes

Ezri Konsa went down after a challenge on Embolo, where he appears to have come off worse.

It was great defending as Embolo worked a one-two and a shooting chance inside the box and Konsa on the stretch managed to get in and a block in.

But he's in some discomfort needing treatment.

38 - Monaco 1-0 Aston Villa

Nothing comes of it.

Plenty of the ball at the moment, Villa. They're finally starting to create one or two chances as well.

37 - Monaco 1-0 Aston Villa

HUGE CHANCE for Bailey!

Great from Buendia to drive towards the edge of the box before firing a pass into Watkins' path inside the box. His touch is good into the path of Bailey who smashes at goal and it's well saved and put over the top for a corner.

31 - Monaco 1-0 Aston Villa

Decent effort from Digne but too careful and the keeper read it all the way to scamper along his line to catch.

Villa definitely growing into this more and more, Morgan Rogers seeing much more of the ball too.

30 - Monaco 1-0 Aston Villa

Really dangerous position for a free kick here for Aston Villa after Youri Tielemans was caught.

Right bang in the centre of the pitch, 25 yards from goal. Almost any player who hits free kicks would pick the ball up and put it here.

From Graeme Bryce in Monaco

Well that wasn't a very good start!

Villa have been sloppy in possession and boy did Monaco make them pay.

The home side have been quicker, sharper, slicker and much more energetic than their Premier League opponents.

The opened the scoring after eight minutes when Lamine Camara's wicked outswinging corner kick was powered towards goal by Thilo Kehrer.

Emi Martinez did well to beat it out but big defender Wilfried Singo pounced to head home the rebound.

Monaco's players just wanted to win the ball more than Villa's defenders did!

Still no signs of Wills!

Monaco 1-0 Aston Villa

27: Villa starting to get more success down the left with Digne having two crosses into the box in a couple of minutes.

Watkins can't get on the end of them but Villa continuing to dictate the game despite being sloppy at times with the possession.

Current Champions League standings

Aston Villa are still in the top-eight currently despite trailing, but only just.

Monaco 1-0 Aston Villa

16: Another Monaco corner but this time its cleared away.

Villa counter and Bailey cuts it back to Rogers at the edge of the area but he can only thrash his shot over.

First half chance there for the visitors.

Monaco 1-0 Aston Villa

12: As they did at the weekend after going 2-0 down to Arsenal, Villa have regrouped well since the goal.

Villa are starting to exert more and more control on the game but yet to carve out a decent chance.

From Graeme Bryce in Monaco

Unai Emery has called on his team to deliver a win and a draw from their final two Champions League ties to qualify as one of the top 8.

Villa head into tonight's match on 13 points knowing 17 points should guarantee they skip one play-off round.

They will face a stiff test from a youthful and speedy Monaco side, who are well used to big European nights in their classy little Stade Louis II fortress.

Emery has handed a surprise start to creative midfielder Emi Buendia who will be out to impress and prove he can have a long-term future with Villa.

There is a rumour Prince William will be in the Principality to cheer on his favourite club - we'll keep you posted.

Monaco vs Aston Villa

Just over five minutes until Champions League football is kicked off for the evening.

Another big night for Villa in Europe.

Can they go one major step closer to securing automatic qualification to the Last 16.

Aston Villa permutations

Aston Villa - on 13 points - are almost certain to finish in the top-eight and guarantee automatic promotion to the Last 16 with a win tonight at Monaco.

However, Unai Emery is not counting his chickens just yet.

Emery said: "Maybe 17 is the points we need.

"Our opportunity - and our objective - is to try to get 19 points, because with 19 points, for sure we will be there."

Aston Villa team confirmed

Unai Emery has made three changes from the thrilling 2-2 draw with Arsenal for tonight's clash.

Emi Buendia makes his first Champions League start, while Lucas Digne - who impressed against the Gunners - and Leon Bailey also come in.

Andre Onana misses out after picking up a knock at the Emirates at the weekend.