Unai Emery and Aston Villa refuse to get complacent against 'dangerous' Viking

Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has insisted there is no complacency in his camp despite their superb start to the Champions League, warning his players about the competition's 'dangerous' newcomers Viking.

The English side, who host the Norwegian outfit at Villa Park on Wednesday, thrashed Fenerbahçe 6-0 in their last European outing to record the biggest European win in the club's history. Nicolas Jackson and Ross Barkley starred with two goals apiece in that emphatic victory, and Villa now face a Viking side who all but cornered Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in their last match.

Against Bayern, Viking went in at half-time 2-0 up thanks to goals from Gianni Stensness and Peter Christiansen, but could not stop Harry Kane's quick-fire double. Although they fell behind to a Luis Diaz goal, they snatched a 3-3 draw after Michael Olise was sent off, with Herman Haugen striking in the 90th minute.

Viking, who are bidding to become the first Norwegian side to win away against English opposition in European competition, have met English clubs only once before, against Chelsea in the first round of the 2002-03 UEFA Cup (a 1-2 defeat away and a 4-2 win at home).

A win would make Aston Villa the second-fastest team to reach 20 victories in European Cup/Champions League history (in 30 matches). The record belongs to Real Madrid, who did it in 29 matches. Villa also have the chance to win four consecutive games in the competition for the first time.

Stressing that they are by no means underestimating their opponents, Emery told reporters:

"Every team in the Champions League is here because they deserve it, and they are all very dangerous. Viking drew with Bayern Munich last week and lost to Stuttgart. In their own league they are level on points with Bodø/Glimt at the top. Bodø/Glimt are a team who have done important things in Europe in recent years and beaten big teams. Viking are also a team strong enough to take points off Bayern Munich and to go toe-to-toe with Stuttgart and with us. The Champions League is a very tough arena. We have 6 points now, which is fantastic, but maintaining this level will be the real challenge for us."

Meanwhile, Johan Manzambi, who made his Champions League debut on his 21st birthday against Fenerbahçe last week, caught the eye with a goal and an impressive display. The youngster became only the second player, after Romulo in September 2012, to score on his birthday on his debut in the competition. Manzambi then found the net again in the Premier League against Newcastle United, becoming the 4th player in the club's history to register a goal or an assist in each of his first 3 Premier League starts.