The key facts

  • Aston Villa host Viking in the Champions League on Wednesday; the team have won four of their last five matches
  • Manzami will miss the match due to a minor injury, Wan-Bissaka is out for about three to four weeks
  • Viking drew 3:3 with Bayern and sit level with Bodø/Glimt in the Norwegian championship

Emery is not looking for excuses

Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery said at the pre-match press conference that he does not consider player injuries an excuse ahead of the home Champions League match against Norwegian side Viking on Wednesday. 'We have enough players, no excuses,' said the Spaniard. 'Tomorrow we will find solutions if we need to show our game, collectively and individually in every position.'

Squad losses

21-year-old Swiss forward Johan Manzami, who scored the only goal in the 1:0 Premier League win over Newcastle on Saturday, was substituted in the 72nd minute and, according to Emery, will miss the match due to a 'minor injury'. Also out are defenders Matteo Ruggeri (about two months) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, whose recovery, according to the coach, will take roughly three to four weeks. Amadou Onana has been sidelined for a long time. Meanwhile, Ian Maatsen has returned to the group and is training with the team this week.

Villa's form and the opponent

Villa started the season poorly but have won four of their last five matches in all competitions. Last week the team thrashed Fenerbahçe 6:0 and could claim a third consecutive European win. Viking, however, arrive in good spirits after a 3:3 draw with Bayern Munich, though the Norwegians lost to Stuttgart. 'Every team playing in the Champions League has earned it, and they are dangerous,' Emery noted. 'Viking are a new team capable of drawing with Bayern and competing with Stuttgart and with us tomorrow. This is the Champions League, and it is very difficult.' In the Norwegian championship, Viking and Bodø/Glimt sit in the top two places with the same number of points.