Champions League
2026-10-21 - Aston Villa vs Viking
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA Champions League Match Day 3
Wednesday 21st October 2026 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Aston Villa
The Aston Villa board are never going to be placing a huge amount of pressure on Unai Emery even when the team go through sticky periods and they have usually been rewarded by achieving all they have set out to do. After another slow start, this time to the 2026/27 season, Aston Villa have come out of the international break and produced three solid results to build up some momentum.
Winning the Champions League may not be possible, but Aston Villa will be looking for another money-spinning deep run into the competition. Two years ago they were Quarter Finalists and Aston Villa are one of nine clubs that have begun the League Phase of this year's competition with a perfect record following wins over Club Brugge and Fenerbahce.
Aston Villa are now unbeaten in 5 games in all competitions and the win at St James' Park on Saturday is the fourth victory in that unbeaten run. The side had not won any of 3 home games played in the Premier League, but Aston Villa drew with Brentford 2-2 before thumping Fenerbahce 6-0 at Villa Park in the Champions League last week.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka left the field with an injury that is likely going to keep him out for weeks and that is another left back that has suffered an injury within this Aston Villa squad. There is a hope that Johan Manzambi is going to be fit enough to be involved, but Unai Emery is likely going to be thinking about changes to freshen up the starting eleven.
Viking
Unlike the majority of European Leagues, the Norwegian 2026 season is going to be concluded in a few weeks time with Bodo/Glimt and defending Champions Viking fighting it out for the title. Both clubs are playing in the Champions League Group Stage this season and Viking showed tremendous character to earn a 3-3 home draw with Bayern Munich on Match Day 2 having blown a 2-0 lead to trail 2-3.
After failing to make it through the Conference League Qualifying Rounds last season, Viking returned to the Champions League setting to beat Dinamo Zagreb in the Play Off Round in August. The side have picked up a single point from the opening two League Phase games and Viking will do very well to make it through to the Knock Out Rounds, although the loss at Stuttgart on Match Day 1 is only the second defeat in 8 away European ties played.
Viking have bounced back from that defeat in Stuttgart to put together a 6 game unbeaten run in all competitions and they have won 5 of those fixtures to remain pretty confident. They have won consecutive away games in all competitions, although Viking will appreciate that they are dealing with a considerable leap in level whenever they compete in the Champions League.
A number of squad players remain absent ahead of the trip to Villa Park.
Head to Head
This is the first competitive meeting between the clubs.
Prediction
Balancing domestic and European commitments remains a hugely challenging task for clubs, but Unai Emery is experienced and he can guide a transitional Aston Villa squad with some confidence. The players do believe in the manager and recent form has definitely been an improvement on what had been a slow start to the season.
The current Europa League holders are going to be strong favourites to make it three wins from three Champions League games played.
Last week's win over Fenerbahce would have done the players the world of good and back to back clean sheets will add to the belief. Aston Villa's attacking football has been pretty impressive and so they will feel they can do what is needed to earn three more points.
However, Emery will have a lot of respect for Viking after the Norwegian Champions produced a 3-3 draw with Bayern Munich last week.
It was a draw earned at home, but Viking's domestic rivals Bodo/Glimt have shown how competitive Norwegian representatives can be in the big UEFA tournaments.
Viking will take encouragement from that, but they are likely going to need to pick up the majority of the points in front of the home supporters during the League Phase of the competition. The 3-1 loss at Stuttgart backs up that statement and Viking may not be able to contain an improving Aston Villa in the West Midlands in England.
The win last week makes it 13 from 14 at home in UEFA competition and Aston Villa have been able to secure relatively comfortable wins of at least two goal margins 8 times.
With the difference in quality and squad depth between these two clubs, Aston Villa can do what is needed to secure another big home win on Wednesday evening.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Aston Villa 3-1 Viking
