Aston Villa vs Viking FK: can the Norwegians cause another Champions League upset?

Aston Villa welcome Norwegian champions Viking FK to Villa Park on Wednesday, with Unai Emery’s men targeting a third consecutive Champions League victory. Villa endured a difficult start to the season, failing to win any of their opening four league games, but Emery has once again silenced the doubters, with his side unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions, winning four.

It is in Europe where the Midlands outfit have impressed most, following an opening victory against Club Brugge with a remarkable 6-0 demolition of Fenerbahce last week. Braces from Ross Barkley and Nicolas Jackson, alongside goals from Johan Manzambi and Tammy Abraham, helped Villa record their second consecutive Champions League win and establish themselves among the early frontrunners in the league phase. Their domestic form has also improved, with a narrow 1-0 victory over Newcastle United on Saturday taking them to eight points in the Premier League. However, Viking FK have also caught the headlines after producing a heroic performance against Bayern Munich, recovering from a 3-0 deficit to secure a dramatic 3-3 draw. Viking initially stunned Vincent Kompany’s side by taking a 2-0 lead, before Harry Kane’s brace and a Luis Diaz strike appeared to restore order. Michael Olise’s dismissal gave the Norwegians renewed hope, and substitute Herman Haugen headed home a 90th-minute equaliser to complete an extraordinary comeback. Viking suffered a 3-1 defeat against Stuttgart in their European debut, but their domestic form remains impressive as they fight to retain their Eliteserien title, winning five of their last six matches across all competitions.

This will be the first meeting between the two sides, with both attacks offering plenty of encouragement for an entertaining contest. Villa have scored in each of their last seven matches, while Viking have found the net in at least 17 consecutive games, and the hosts have already scored nine goals in their opening two Champions League fixtures.

Team news:

Villa will be without Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who suffered a hamstring injury against Newcastle and is expected to remain sidelined until mid-November.

Manzambi has also picked up a knock and will miss Wednesday’s game, while Ian Maatsen, Amadou Onana, Matteo Ruggeri and Modo Cisse remain unavailable. With natural left-back options limited, Tyrone Mings could feature on the left side of the defence, while Emery may rotate ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City. Tammy Abraham could start up front, while Leon Goretzka and Ibrahim Mbaye will hope to earn further opportunities. Viking remain without Martin Ove Roseth, Nick D’Agostino, Veton Berisha and Anders Baertelsen. Haugen could earn a starting place following his dramatic equaliser against Bayern, while captain Zlatko Tripic is expected to feature alongside top scorer Peter Christiansen and Erik Botheim.

Predicted line-ups:

Aston Villa: Suzuki; Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Mings; Kamara, Barkley; McGinn, Alysson, Mbaye; Abraham. Viking FK: Ostbo; Heggheim, Falchener, Stensness, Haugen; Bjordal, Bell, Askildsen; Christiansen, Botheim, Tripic.