Aston Villa 3 – 1 Viking – Match Report & Highlights
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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
Wednesday 21 October 2026 22:07, UK
Alysson celebrates during Aston Villa’s 3-1 win over Viking in the Champions League at Villa Park
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.
Ross Barkley celebrates scoring Aston Villa’s opening goal against Viking
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.
More to follow…
Emi Buendia doubled Aston Villa’s lead over Viking from the penalty spot
Key moments from Villa Park…
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
Aston Villa’s next fixtures…
