Aston Villa made it three wins from three in the Champions League with a controlled 3-1 victory over Viking, a result that keeps the English side perfect in Europe and leaves the Norwegian visitors with little to show for a spirited second-half start.
Villa had the contest largely settled before the interval. Ross Barkley opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, Emiliano Buendía converted a VAR-awarded penalty, and an own goal from Heggheim shortly after the hour removed any realistic prospect of a comeback.
Quick facts
- Aston Villa have taken maximum points from their first three Champions League matches.
- Barkley struck first after 23 minutes, heading in Mbaye’s delivery.
- Buendía scored from the spot after VAR overturned the original decision not to award a penalty.
- Heggheim turned Alysson’s cross into his own net around the hour mark.
- Christiansen scored a late consolation for Viking.
- Viking arrived after drawing with Bayern Munich in their previous European outing.
Villa did not need to force the tempo, but they had warned Viking early. Jackson headed a seventh-minute chance wide, while Alysson’s cross in the 21st minute was deflected onto the crossbar before dropping awkwardly for Stensness, who almost diverted it into his own goal.
The breakthrough followed two minutes later. Mbaye supplied the cross and Barkley found space between defenders in the six-yard area, directing his header beyond the goalkeeper.
The home side then pressed harder and created three opportunities in quick succession. In the third, Heggheim brought down Alysson. The referee initially waved play on, but the video review led to a penalty, which Buendía put away to double Villa’s advantage.
Viking began the second half with more purpose, though without finding the goal that might have changed the night. Ostbo made an important close-range save from Buendía to keep the margin at two before the decisive moment arrived.
Alysson sent another cross into the area and Heggheim, enduring a difficult evening at full-back, diverted it past his own goalkeeper. From there, the match lost much of its intensity as substitutions disrupted the rhythm.
Christiansen scored late for Viking, but the goal only softened the final score. Villa had managed the occasion with authority, and their European week ends with another win and a faultless early Champions League record.
