Unai Emery’s men are joint top of the Champions League table.

Even a lack of fit full backs can’t stop Villa in Europe.

Unai Emery’s men made light of their current shortage in defensive wide areas as they cruised past Viking to maintain their perfect Champions League record.

Missing Aaron Wan-Bisska and Matteo Ruggeri through injury and with Matty Cash and Ian Maatsen only on the bench, Emery named an XI without a recognised full back but there is no stopping his team on their own patch.

This was their 12th straight home in European competition. And while Villa may only have recently returned to the Champions League, they have now become the second fastest side to reach 20 victories in both its former European Cup guise and current rebranded format.

First half goals from Ross Barkley and Emi Buendia and second half Henrik Heggheim own goal, forced by the brilliant Alysson, were enough to see them past their Norwegian visitors.

A late Peter Christiansen consolation for the visitors was the only blot on the evening and meant Villa did not end it outright top of the Champions League table.

That is a position they share with Paris Saint-Germain, who visit Villa Park in December. The two-time defending champions will not find it easy.

Villa’s next match in the competition is away at Barcelona but with three wins from three, they have given themselves a great platform to push on for a top-eight finish.

Emery’s team selection was the subject of much pre-match discussion.

Joao Gomes, as it transpired, lined-up at right-back, yet moved into midfield whenever his team were in possession in a system which was both fluid and effective.

Nicolas Jackson should have done better than sent two headers straight at goalkeeper Arild Ostbo. Gomes then saw a cross deflected onto the bar by defender Gianni Stensness to start a sequence which led to the opening goal.

Viking failed to heed the warning when Buendia peeled away at the near post to meet Ibrahim Mbaye’s corner, hitting an effort which was blocked behind.

From the next delivery, Barkley’s run was not tracked and the midfielder flicked his header past Ostbo.

Villa should have been away and clear by the half-hour mark. But Buendia somehow missed the target from six yards out with a header after Alysson’s shot was parried into his path, before sending another straight at the keeper from a corner.

The playmaker would, however, make no mistake from the spot when Villa were awarded a penalty eight minutes before the break. Alysson looked to burst between two defenders and the second of those, the wonderfully named Zlatko Tripic, brought him down.

Referee Sebastian Gishamer initially waved away the appeals but changed his mind after VAR Alan Kijas convinced him to check the monitor. Buendia sent Ostbo the wrong way from the spot.

Viking finally began showing some adventure after the break and Tobias Moi had their first attempt on target, albeit aimed straight at Zion Suzuki.

It was the hosts who continued to look more dangerous and Buendia was denied again by Ostbo, when the keeper got low to stop his attempted flicked finish from Alysson’s pull back.

A minute later the latter raced on to McGinn’s lofted pass, beat the defender for pace but placed his finish wide of the far post.

Viking could not cope with Alysson. When Villa broke again, the winger held off his man and though he was attempting to find Nicolas Jackson with a cross, when the ball cannoned off Heggheim and in, the goal was his in all but name.

Alysson then should have had an assist on his record after a brilliant run, from a Viking corner, led to a chance for Jackson which the striker blazed over the bar.

Substitute Alejandro Garnacho came close to a brilliant first Villa goal before Christiansen netted late to knock Villa off the top.

Villa (4-2-3-1): Suzuki, Gomes (Cash 70), Lindelof, Torres, Mings, McGinn, Barkley (Goretzka 70), Alysson (Hemmings 75), Buendia, Mbaye (Garnacho 72), Jackson (Abraham 70) Subs: Harwood-Bellis, Kamara, Maatsen, Bogarde, Wright (gk), Bizot (gk).

Viking FKL (4-3-3): Ostbo, Haugen H (Bassey 86), Stensness, Daland (Cosic 75), Heggheim, Askildsen, Bell, Moi (Bjordal 63), Christiansen, Botheim (Kvia-Egeskog 63), Tripic (Auklend 75) Subs not used: Vevante, Postema, Bjordal, Fuglestad, Falchener, Kvia-Egeskog, Haugen K, Hansen, Belko (gk).