Aston Villa beat Viking 3-1 to make it three wins from three in Champions League
- Aston Villa beat Viking 3-1 at Villa Park on Wednesday to stay perfect in the Champions League.
- Ross Barkley headed the opener and Emiliano Buendia scored a penalty after a VAR review.
- An own goal from Henrik Heggheim made it 3-0 before Peter Christiansen pulled one back for Viking.
Aston Villa made it three wins from three in the Champions League on Wednesday, beating Norwegian side Viking 3-1 at Villa Park.
The result keeps Unai Emery's team on course for a top-eight finish in the league phase, which would mean direct qualification for the last 16.
Villa had already beaten Club Brugge 3-2 and thrashed Fenerbahce 6-0 before Viking's visit. The Norwegian club had drawn 3-3 with Bayern Munich last week, but they were on the back foot from the start in Birmingham.
How the goals came
Ross Barkley headed Villa ahead in the 23rd minute, rising to meet Ibrahim Mbaye's corner.
Villa doubled the lead eight minutes before half-time. Referee awarded a penalty after a VAR review when Zlatko Tripic fouled Alysson, and Emiliano Buendia stroked the spot kick home.
Viking came out brighter after the break and pushed Villa back for a spell, but the hosts added a third shortly after the hour. Henrik Heggheim turned Alysson's effort into his own net after a quick counter-attack.
Peter Christiansen gave the travelling fans something to cheer with a superb late volley from a cross on the right, but it was only a consolation.
Nicolas Jackson had earlier headed two free chances tamely at Viking goalkeeper Arild Ostbo.
A rebuilt side finding its feet
Villa are also improving in the Premier League, with five wins from their last six games in all competitions after a slow start to the season.
Emery had to rebuild heavily in the summer after several high-profile departures, including Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa, Emiliano Martinez, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne.
New signings such as Jackson and Switzerland forward Johan Manzambi, who missed Wednesday's match through injury, are helping the new side take shape.
Villa won the Europa League and finished fourth in the Premier League last season, their first major trophy in 30 years.
What happens next: Villa continue their Champions League league-phase campaign, with a top-eight finish the target that would take them straight into the last 16.
