Champions League

LIVERPOOL, Arsenal and Aston Villa are set to receive major financial windfalls if they finish in the top eight of the Champions League.The Premier League trio occupy first, fifth and eight place respectively in the 36-team table after Tuesday night’s games.Liverpool currently top the Champions League table and are on course to receive a hefty bonusCredit: GETTYArsenal will also receive a sizeable bonusCredit: GETTYAs will Aston Villa, who were eighth after their loss to MonacoCredit: REXEach of the teams participating in this season’s revamped competition will take home a guaranteed £15,744,700.But thanks to the new league ranking bonus system, as well as they’re final position in the table, they’re all in line to receive whopping bonuses.The overall bonus sum for the tournament is split into 666 equal shares which were initially each valued at £232,516 – the amount the last-placed team in the competition will receive.The 35th-placed side will take home two shares, which will be allocated until the table-topper is given 36 shares.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAs it stands, current league leaders Liverpool will pocket a whopping £8,370,576 for 36 shares.Fifth-placed Arsenal are set to take home 33 shares, which equate to £6,742,964.Aston Villa, meanwhile, are on course to rake in £6,975,480 as a seventh-placed finish will earn them 30 shares.The shares, however, will be increased due to the undisputed prize money for draws – which increase the pot by £591,675 each time.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSTeams will also receive an additional £1,775,445 for each win they notched in the group stage.That means Liverpool’s seven wins have pocketed them a staggering £12,428,115.Aston Villa star Jhon Duran kicks water bottle in fury after he is sent off against NewcastleArsenal and Villa’s respective four wins apiece, meanwhile, have so far earned them £7,101,780.Arsenal will be back in Champions League action on Wednesday night, welcoming Croatian big boys Dinamo Zagreb to the Emirates.Villa, meanwhile, will look to bounce back from their defeat to Monaco against Scottish champions Celtic next Wednesday. More

ASTON VILLA discovered the hard way.The last place in the world you can afford to be poor is Monte Carlo.Aston Villa suffered a slip-up in their Champions League campaignCredit: GettyPrince William was in attendance at MonacoCredit: EPAWilfried Singo headed in from close range to break the deadlock on eight minutesCredit: APUnai Emery brought his Premier stars to the millionaires’ playground in the South of France.But in front of watching royalty – Villa fan Prince William – his side performed like paupers.Wilfried Singo’s first-half header was enough to sink Villa who had 82 minutes to put things right but never came close.They trudged off at the end, deservedly beaten by Monaco’s energetic kids.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLQuite simply, Villa ran out of ideas like a gambler who has run out of chips at Monte Carlo’s famous Casino.A win here in the Principality – which hosts the most glamorous and famous Grand Prix in the world – would have seen Villa enter the home straight in pole position.Instead, they looked as if they had run out of gas – and at times they were the pits.Now they face a huge test of their bottle at home to Celtic next Wednesday.Most read in Champions LeagueBest new sign-up offersSunSport exclusivesIt is a must-win game if Villa are to finish with 16 points and hopefully qualify as one of the top eight.But they will need to go through several gears if they are to pop the champagne once they hit the chequered flag.Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher revisit Premier League predictions with Champions League chasers tipped to go downEmery raised eyebrows with his team selection as he handed Emi Buendia his first Champions League start.Less unexpected was his decision to start Ollie Watkins ahead of Villa’s top scorer in Europe, Jhon Duran.The Colombian’s three goals in this competition were three more than Watkins has managed this term.But to be fair to the England striker, he is in a rich vein of form right now after scoring in his last two games against Everton and Arsenal.Emery did manage to upset one section of the crowd with his selection, however.Emi Martinez’s inclusion was a no-brainer for the Spaniard but it didn’t go down well with the Monaco fans who booed him every time he touched the ball.French fans will never forgive the big Argentine goalie for his antics in the World Cup final when his housery helped his nation defeat France in the final.Villa actually carved out the first half-chance of the night when Lucas Digne delivered a deep cross to the back post.But Leon Bailey sent a weak header into Radoslaw Majecki’s arms, then collided with Christian Mawissa and required treatment.Villa seemed intent on hurting themselves because moments later Tyrone Mings was short with a pass to Youri Tielemans and Maghnes Akliouche sped in to rob the Belgian.The Monaco winger thundered in a shot which was deflected for a corner off Ezri Konsa.But once again Villa were sloppy from the corner and they paid a heavy price.Lamine Camara whipped in a tempting outswinger and Thilo Kehrer soared above Mings to power in a header.Martinez reacted instinctively to beat the ball out but defender Singo pounced to head home the rebound as Villa’s defenders stood still.It was Monaco’s third goal from a corner in this season’s Champions League – the joint-most of any side along with AC Milan.So Villa can’t say they weren’t warned.Monaco’s tails were up and Martinez had to rescue Villa with a brilliant dive and parry to deny Akliouche after Tielemans gave the ball away cheaply in midfield.Villa tried to respond but Morgan Rogers skied a shot over on the half-volley and Majecki plucked a curling Digne free-kick out rather acrobatically.Buendia was Villa’s most creative player and threaded the ball through to Bailey whose shot was palmed high over by Majecki.The Pole in Monaco’s goal was beginning to frustrate Villa and he was at it again in first-half stoppage time.Buendia played in Watkins who drilled a low shot towards the far corner but Majecki got down brilliantly to touch the ball around his post. However seconds later Villa had a huge let-off when Minamino played in Akliouche who had the goal at his mercy.But the 22-year-old French Algerian panicked and blazed over.Villa carved out an early opening after the break but Rogers’ shot, with the outside of his boot, flew agonisingly wide when he seemed set to score.However, Villa had another let-off when Akliouche stole in behind Villa’s defence to prod the ball home from Vanderson’s cross – only to be flagged offside.Emery had seen enough and sent on Jhon Duran to partner Watkins as Bailey made way.But Monaco were proving more than a match for Villa and it took a stunning sliding tackle from Mings to block Aleksandr Golovin when the substitute seemed certain to score on the breakaway.READ MORE SUN STORIESDuran had one last attempt with an overhead kick which flew over.But it was too little, way too late for Villa.Monaco still have hopes of finishing in the top eightCredit: APDenis Zakaria attempted a very acrobatic effortCredit: APMorgan Rogers was unable to weave his magicCredit: ReutersUnai Emery’s men face Celtic next week at Villa ParkCredit: Reuters More

FOLLOWING Saturday’s disappointing collapse at home to Aston Villa, Arsenal return to the European stage with a Champions League tie with Dinamo Zagreb.SunSport betting experts have previewed the cup showdown and selected the best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading betting partners.Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles hereNew sign-up offersSunSport exclusivesArsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb previewFor a spell on Saturday, it looked to be a potentially dreamy one for Arsenal fans.It ended up a nightmare with runaway leaders Liverpool winning in stoppage time and Arsenal imploding to chuck away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2.They must now park that disappointment and look ahead to the Champions League, where they’re in a strong position.Only Liverpool and Barcelona sit ahead of them in the standings after six games and a win over Dinamo Zagreb will guarantee them a top eight finish, which is where they want to be.The Gunners have been strong at home in this competition, winning all three games without conceding a goal.The visitors arrive in 24th spot, desperate to cling onto their play-off spot, though the pack below them – which includes PSG – are closing in.They held Celtic to a 0-0 draw at home last time out but have already been thumped 9-2 on the road at Bayern and 3-0 at home to Dortmund. So a tough ask lies ahead.First scorer and correct score predictionsCorrect score: 4-0 at 7/1 with talkSPORT BET – HEREFirst scorer: Gabriel Martinelli at 9/2 with Betfred – HEREArsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb latest oddsOdds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.How to claim..William Hill £60 welcome bonusVisit the William Hill website HERE*Register an account using the Promo Code: T60Once your account is registered, click ‘opt in’ on the ‘Vegas Promotion’ pageDeposit a minimum of £10 in your main account to receive a £20 Vegas Bonus for use on Selected GamesThen place a bet with a minimum stake of £10 at odds of 1/2 or greater on any football marketOnce that’s settled, your account will be credited with £40 in free betsWilliam Hill: Claim £60 welcome bonus – click here*Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb predictions and tipsHome on topArsenal need to get back to winning ways and their current form is quite worrying to read if you’re a supporter.They can be a bit one dimensional and not fun to watch moving side to side but they should have more than enough against Dinamo here.A good performance and result can re-lift that confidence which has taken a beating in recent weeks.Arsenal to win both halves, Arsenal most corners in each half & Dinamo Zagreb most cards at 3/1 with William Hill – CLAIM HEREGift of the GabGabriel Martinelli scored the opener on Saturday and did OK in an unusual spot on the right hand side of the front three.He’s still not considered amongst the top wingers in the Premier League and certainly needs to add a lot to his game to even be involved in that discussion.That goal meant he has matched last season’s Premier League total of six goals and he’ll want to make an impression on this stage too.Gabriel Martinelli 2+ shots on target at 5/2 with talkSPORT BET – CLAIM HERE*William Hill. 18+. 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UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. Full T&Cs apply.Remember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGamble Aware – www.gambleaware.orgFind our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk More