Villa beat Viking 3-1 to keep Champions League record perfect

Aston Villa maintained their perfect start to the Champions League league phase with a 3-1 win over Viking at Villa Park on Wednesday, 21 October. Ross Barkley and Emiliano Buendia scored before a Henrik Heggheim own goal gave the home side a three-goal lead. Peter Christiansen struck late for the visitors.

The result gives Villa three wins from their opening three matches and strengthens their push for a top-eight finish. Such a finish would secure direct qualification for the last 16.

Villa boss Unai Emery was pleased with his side’s control of the match, despite Viking’s stronger start to the second half. “We played a very safe match,” he told TNT Sports. “First half we dominated, we were feeling comfortable.”

Villa build their lead

Villa were on top from the opening stages, although Nicolas Jackson failed to make the most of two free headers, directing both at goalkeeper Arild Ostbo. Barkley broke through in the 23rd minute, rising to head in Ibrahim Mbaye’s corner.

The lead doubled in the 37th minute after a VAR review led to a penalty for a foul by Zlatko Tripic on Alysson. Buendia took the spot kick and stroked it home, sending Villa into the interval with a two-goal advantage.

Viking pushed Villa back early in the second half and won a series of corners. Alysson then came close to adding a third before his effort following a swift counter-attack was deflected into the net by Heggheim shortly after the hour mark.

Christiansen pulled one back in the final few minutes, volleying in a cross from the right. It was a consolation for Viking, who had drawn 3-3 with Bayern Munich the previous week.

Top-eight target comes into focus

Villa’s earlier Champions League victories came against Club Brugge, whom they beat 3-2, and Fenerbahce, whom they defeated 6-0. Their latest result also means they have won five of their past six games in all competitions after a slow start to the season.

Emery said Villa had been the better side overall despite conceding corners after half-time. “We’re so happy how we’re getting those three points,” he said.

The winning run follows a summer rebuild after the departures of Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa, Emiliano Martinez, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne. New signing Johan Manzambi missed the Viking match with an injury, but Villa’s three opening wins have put them in a strong position to pursue direct passage to the last 16.