Aston Villa vs Viking. UEFA Champions League. Match report as Aston Villa made it three wins from three in this season’s Champions League with a 3-1 win over Norwegian champions Viking at Villa Park. Ross Barkley and Emiliano Buendia scored in the first half.
Only a late Viking goal denied Villa top spot Aston Villa made it three wins from three in the Champions League with a 3-1 win over Viking at Villa Park. Ross Barkley headed Unai Emery’s side in front midway through the first half and Emiliano Buendia’s penalty made it two before the break. Alysson’s run led to an own goal for the third with only Peter Christiansen’s late volley taking Villa off top spot. Bayern Munich struggled against the Norwegian champions last week but Villa were in control from the start despite a makeshift look to the side with Joao Gomes at right-back.
The Brazilian had a cross deflected against the underside of the bar early in the game. Ibrahim Mbaye’s corner from the other flank was nodded in by Barkley soon after before Buendia came close with two good headed chances. The Argentine made amends from the penalty spot when a VAR check ruled that Alysson had been clipped inside the box. The young winger was the best player on the pitch, producing surely his best performance in a Villa shirt.
He was instrumental in the third goal too, racing through from deep. Henrik Heggheim could only divert his cross past his own goalkeeper. That was the goal that took Villa into top spot in this league phase. The crowd knew it too, chanting ‘We are top of the league’ afterwards.
But Peter Christiansen’s brilliant late volley – awarded after a VAR check – dropped them back to second behind PSG. The tifo unveiled in the Holte End before kick-off pointed out that Villa have conquered before and are prepared for more. There are more fancied sides in this Champions League but few boast the clarity of purpose that Emery brings. Villa are building again.
Champions League: Three things we learnt from Arsenal’s draw at Bayern Munich WSL news, transfers, rumours, gossip and women’s football latest Bayern Munich 2-2 Arsenal: Declan Rice secures draw for Gunners in Champions League after Harry Kane penalty European football news and transfers: Barcelona, Real Madrid, PSG, Bayern Munich latest and more Ballon d’Or: Harry Kane says ‘it would be incredible’ to win award Paper Talk: Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes criticised after Como humbling Emiliano Buendia speaking about Alysson to TNT Sports: “He was incredible. He’s showing his potential, his ability on the wing. Also Ibrahim Mbaye as well – their speed, their qualities. It’s going to help the team a lot, so it’s very important to have them and to try to help them to improve because they are young talents.” Aston Villa manager Unai Emery speaking in the press conference: “We are delighted how we are responding in our demands, respecting the competition of the Champions League and respecting the opponent, and how we are improving things.
Through those issues I think we played a good match, collectively, tactically, respecting them, following the plan we set on. “Then, individually, the players showed their qualities. I think we did a good job and some players did a step forward in their confidence, feeling better, understanding everything tactically and playing their football.” Emery likely had his wingers in mind. When asked about Mbaye and Alysson, he replied: “It was a step forward for both players in our idea, so really happy.” There was praise too for Alejandro Garnacho who “played his best minutes” in a late cameo off the bench.
Viking head coach Morten Jensen speaking in the press conference: “The second half was much more like Viking wants to be. Maybe we had too much respect in the first half, they were all over us and we did not create much offensively, which is rare for Viking. “I think we did a much better job by asking questions of Villa’s midfield and their defence and ended up drawing the second half. That is something that we can build on for the future.
“It is the next level for us as a team and really great to see the team get a goal at Villa Park in front of over 2,000 Norwegian fans.” 23 – GOAL! Barkley headed Villa in front from a corner 37 – GOAL! Buendia made it two from the penalty spot 62 – OWN GOAL! Heggheim turned in Alysson’s cross 84 – GOAL!
Christiansen’s volley brings consolation Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1m! Enter for free.
