AVLAston VillaClub page
VIKVikingClub page
Squad value€633.7m
Squad value€56m
Key playerJohan Manzambi
Key playerHenrik Falchener
Head coachUnai Emery
Head coachBjarte Lunde Aarsheim
Viking commit to keeping the ball and Aston Villa are waiting to break the moment they lose it.
Aston Villa's squad is valued at €633.7m, Viking's at €56m: about 11 times as much. Gaps like that tend to settle games rather than make contests.
Clear favourites: Aston Villa.
Villa defend in two tight rows of players and close off the middle of the pitch. Opponents end up passing sideways in front of them for long spells.
“Arsenal had to be patient in possession, as Villa deployed a compact 4-4-2 structure that restricted central progression.”The danger comes the second they win the ball. Their new striker sprints in behind your defence, and Villa try to get the ball to him before you can get back.
“Villa also carried a threat on the counter-attack, primarily utilising the pace of new signing Nicolas Jackson in transition.”They will not chase you around the pitch. Villa sit back, keep their shape and wait for you to make the mistake.
“Out of possession they sat deeper, prioritising structure over higher pressure.”Viking are quick to break when they win the ball.
“Nach Ballgewinnen schalteten sie schnell um, was immer wieder für Gefahrenmomente sorgte.”After winning the ball they switched quickly into attack, which kept creating dangerous moments. our translation
They come straight at you from kick-off. Expect them to attack the very first minutes rather than feel their way into the game.
“Viking prøvde, ikke uventet, å gå direkte i strupen på Dinamo Zagreb fra avspark.”Viking tried, not unexpectedly, to go straight for Dinamo Zagreb's throat from kick-off. our translation
There are two men in charge on the touchline, not one. Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim and Morten Jensen are equal head coaches and take turns being listed as the boss.
“I praksis styrer dei skuta saman, noko som er veldig sjeldan.”In practice they steer the ship together, which is very rare. our translation