Aston Villa 3-1 Viking

Aston Villa made it three wins from three in the UEFA Champions League courtesy of a dominant 3-1 victory over Viking.

Ross Barkley registered his third European goal of the season as he opened the scoring midway through the first half, heading home Ibrahim Mbaye’s corner after João Gomes had seen his effort deflected on to the crossbar.

Emi Buendía, having twice gone close, then doubled Villa’s advantage from the penalty spot before the break after the lively Alysson was tripped in the area.

The Brazilian wide man capped an impressive display with another direct impact in Villa’s third goal just after the hour mark, his strike following yet another surging run down the right sent into his own net by Viking defender Henrik Heggheim.

Peter Christiansen volleyed home a late consolation for the Norwegian champions, but the triumph at Villa Park ensured Unai Emery’s side remained level at the top of the standings in the league phase after Matchday 3.

Villa also became the second fastest team to reach 20 wins in Europe’s elite club competition, coming in our 30^th match, behind only Real Madrid (29). 

The club’s 12^th successive European home victory also moves us six matches unbeaten in all competitions, including five wins.

Barkley, Mbaye, captain John McGinn and Pau Torres returned to Emery’s starting XI following Saturday’s 1-0 Premier League victory at Newcastle United.

And it was another pre-match to savour at Villa Park as the ‘Villa Villan’ graced a majestic tifo in front of the Holte End, complementing our unique show across big screens, lights, flames, fireworks and pyrotechnics.

Nicolas Jackson threatened twice inside the opening seven minutes but saw both his headers saved by Viking goalkeeper Arild Ostbo.

Gomes was unfortunate not to open the scoring midway through the first half as his attempted ball into the box deflected off a Viking defender, rebounded against the crossbar, hit the unknowing Gianni Stensness and bounced narrowly the wrong side of the far post for a corner.

Yet, it was from the following set-piece that Villa broke the deadlock as Barkley escaped his marker to meet Mbaye’s delivery at the near post and head high into the net beyond Ostbo from close range.

Buendía missed an opportunity to double the hosts’ advantage shortly afterwards as he headed wide from close range after Ostbo could only parry Alysson’s fierce drive.

And the Argentinian could again count himself unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet moments later as he saw his powerful header pushed away by the busy Ostbo.

But Buendía was not to be denied in the 37^th minute as he calmly stroked home from the spot after a VAR review deemed Alysson had been upended in the area by Viking’s Zlatko Tripic.

The home side maintained their two-goal advantage until the break but it was the Scandinavian side who raced out of the blocks at the start of the second half, Tobias Moi seeing his strike saved by Zion Suzuki.

Buendía’s neat flick was kept out by Ostbo at the other end before a surging Alysson broke clear and fired narrowly wide.

And the Villa winger enjoyed a second key goal involvement of the night as another rampaging run down the right saw his shot diverted into the net by Heggheim.

Emery turned to Leon Goretzka, Tammy Abraham, Matty Cash, Alejandro Garnacho and George Hemmings as Villa showed their strength in depth.

And it was Garnacho who almost added a fourth as his curling effort flew inches wide of the top corner.

Yet it was the visitors who found the net in the 84^th minute as Christiansen converted a fine volley, deemed onside following a VAR review, before the in-form Villans went on to record all three points to take into Saturday’s Premier League test against leaders Manchester City.