Aston Villa beat Viking 3-1 to keep perfect Champions League start

Aston Villa beat Viking 3-1 at Villa Park, extending their perfect start in the Champions League to three wins. Unai Emery’s side controlled much of the match against the Norwegian club.

Ross Barkley opened the scoring with a header midway through the first half. Villa doubled their lead before the break when Emiliano Buendía converted a penalty.

The spot-kick followed a challenge by Viking captain Zlatko Tripić on Villa winger Alysson. A VAR check confirmed the penalty.

Alysson helped create Villa’s third, driving forward and sending in a cross that Henrik Heggheim turned into his own net. The goal briefly put Villa top of the league phase on goal difference.

Viking improved after half-time and pulled one back through Peter Christiansen, whose volley was awarded after a VAR review overturned an offside decision. The goal left Villa second behind Paris Saint-Germain.

Tripić said Viking had been too inaccurate and passive in the first half, but felt the team played much better after the break. Christiansen’s finish gave the visitors a late reward for that response.

Emery said Villa had done a good job collectively and individually, and that some players had gained confidence. He described consistency and improvement as objectives for each match.

Aston Villa beat Viking 3-1 to keep perfect Champions League start

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