Unai Emery Must Make 3 Aston Villa Changes Against Viking

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Aston Villa look to build on last week's 6-0 Champions League romp when Viking visit Villa Park on Wednesday night.

Aston Villa return to Champions League action this week when Norwegian underdogs Viking make their way to Villa Park. The fixtures are coming thick and fast for Unai Emery, and the Villans boss must make big calls in his team selection.

The Midlands outfit are now unbeaten in their last five, after a rocky start to the season. However, a curveball is never far away for Emery.

The Aston Villa manager is without the services of Johan Manzambi and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who both picked up injuries in the victory over the Magpies. These are the decisions Emery must make.

Emery has no option but to rest Manzambi on Wednesday night. That injury was described as a 'small one', making a return for Manchester City as a possibility, but it has been confirmed that the winger will play no part in the Champions League clash.

Manzambi will be a huge miss for the Villans, having chipped in with three goals and three assists in his last four outings. However, it opens up the chance for young Ibrahim Mbaye to impress.

Mbaye was handed his first Aston Villa start against Fenerbahce last week and impressed, picking up an assist in the 6-0 victory. The 18-year-old is capable of creating good opportunities in the final third.

Against the minnows of Viking, Mbaye's pace and youthful desire to take on defenders can cause real problems. Manzambi has been playing through the middle, but the teenager can replace the Swiss international and be shifted to the right, with Emi Buendia on the left and John McGinn through the middle.

That would put him up against Viking left-back Kristoffer Haugen. At 32 years old, Mbaye could have a field day against the defender, not only thanks to his youth, but because Haugen likes to attack. That would leave gaps for the youngster.

Ross Barkley also deserves a place in the starting XI on Wednesday night after his Champions League heroics last week. The 32-year-old scored twice in the 6-0 win over Fenerbahce, seizing the moment in his first Champions League start in five years.

The former Everton and Chelsea man can partner Boubacar Kamara in defensive midfield and give linchpin Joao Gomes a rest. The centre-midfielder keeps impressing, but cannot be expected to put in 90 minutes of engine-room performances twice a week.

Viking are much less likely than Manchester City to dominate the ball, and Gomes is a must for the XI against the Cityzens this weekend. Barkley will be ready to step in.

Speaking after the Fenerbahce game, Barkley said:

> "I love being a part of the club. It's a great club, a great team, it's fantastic. My role is to be ready when I come off the bench or when I start. > > "When I come on the pitch I've got to do what I can do. If I don't perform at my best, the next game I've got to come through and lead and perform better. > > "There's always competition for places in our team. We've got four or five central midfielders, so it's just about being ready."

After the Newcastle United fixture, Emery confirmed that the injury picked up by Wan-Bissaka would likely keep him out for three to four weeks. It leaves Aston Villa with a bit of a sticky situation at left back.

Ian Maatsen is only just returning from injury , and it feels unwise to rush him into the XI against Viking. Instead, Tyrone Mings will have to be deployed as a makeshift left-back.

It is a position that the experienced defender has played before, and having the additional height and strength in the squad will be an asset for set plays.

Mings will go up against Viking captain Zlatko Tripić. The Croatian is a key threat for the Norwegian side and Mings' experience could be important in keeping him quiet. Tripić is creative and productive, but not known as a speedster.

Aston Villa are in contract talks with Victor Lindelof.

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