Emery hails Aston Villa belief after third straight Champions League win
Aston Villa made it three wins from three in the Champions League with a 3-1 defeat of Viking FK at Villa Park, and Unai Emery said the result had strengthened belief across his squad.
Key takeaways
- Ross Barkley opened the scoring before Emi Buendía converted a penalty and Henrik Heggheim put through his own net.
- Peter Christiansen struck late for Viking, ending Villa’s bid for a third consecutive Champions League clean sheet.
- Villa have won 12 straight home matches in major European competition.
- Emery’s side have taken nine points from their opening three Champions League fixtures.
- Villa are yet to record a Premier League home win and face Manchester City this weekend.
Emery sees growing belief
Villa’s latest European victory would have taken them to the top of the Champions League standings but for Christiansen’s late response. Even so, Emery was pleased by the discipline and progress shown by his players against the Norwegian side.
The Villa manager said his team had met the demands of the occasion, respected both the tournament and their opponents, and carried out the tactical plan while allowing individuals to show their quality.
Emery added that several players had moved forward in confidence, felt sharper and were gaining a stronger understanding of the team’s tactical requirements.
Villa have now won both of their Champions League matches in front of their own supporters, following their earlier home success against Fenerbahce. Emery praised the atmosphere at Villa Park and said the team and fans were enjoying the European campaign together.
But he stressed that consistency remains the target. Villa have yet to win at home in the Premier League, with City next up, and Emery wants his side to carry their European confidence into that challenge.
He said the Champions League remains demanding despite the perfect nine-point start, but the two home victories have given his players a platform for the matches ahead.
Viking recover after difficult first half
Viking arrived in Birmingham after drawing with Bayern Munich last week, but struggled to establish their usual attacking game before the interval as Villa took control.
Coach Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim felt his players gave the Premier League side too much respect in the opening half, when Villa dominated and Viking created little.
His side improved after the break following a dressing-room call to be braver in possession. Aarsheim said Viking played more like themselves in the second period and viewed their 1-1 second-half scoreline, sealed by Christiansen’s goal, as a positive they can build on.
