{"id":71619,"date":"2026-10-14T21:29:31","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T01:29:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/?post_type=news&#038;p=71619"},"modified":"2026-10-14T21:32:02","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T01:32:02","slug":"match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/news\/champions-league\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league\/","title":{"rendered":"Aston Villa vs Viking: Predictions, Picks, Odds &#038; Lineups"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><a class=\"sq-club-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/stats\/clubs\/aston-villa\/\">Aston Villa<\/a> host Viking at Villa Park on Wednesday, October 21 (3:00 PM ET \/ 2:00 PM CT \/ 12:00 PM PT).<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>There are no fresh fitness concerns for either side, so Aston Villa should continue to lean on the firepower that&#8217;s fired them to 2 wins from 2 games: Nicolas Jackson has scored 3 goals, Ross Barkley has added 2 from midfield, and John McGinn has created 5 chances in 180 minutes. Viking will again turn to Zlatko Tripi\u0107, who has 3 goals and 9 chances created in 349 minutes, plus Peter Christiansen, who already has 2 goals from 7 shots.<\/p>\n<p>US viewers can watch Aston Villa vs Viking on Paramount+.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>\n.sq-bpg{--sig:#a8e039;--acc:#a8e039;--acc-ink:#0d2a08;--ink:#eaf5e6;--dim:#a7cbb8;--line:rgba(255,255,255,.10);\n --v-strong:#a8e039;--v-value:#7ee081;--v-fair:#9fb6aa;--v-priced:#f0b429;\n font-family:'Bricolage Grotesque',system-ui,-apple-system,Segoe UI,Roboto,sans-serif;color:var(--ink);\n max-width:960px;margin:16px auto 26px;border-radius:16px;overflow:hidden;position:relative;\n background:linear-gradient(168deg,#0f3b2b 0%,#08281c 62%,#06211a 100%);box-shadow:0 18px 44px rgba(6,26,18,.34)}\n.sq-bpg *{box-sizing:border-box}\n.sq-bpg[data-comp=\"epl\"]{--acc:#6f00ff;--acc-ink:#fff}\n.sq-bpg[data-comp=\"ucl\"]{--acc:#022ce8;--acc-ink:#fff}\n.sq-bpg[data-comp=\"mls\"]{--acc:#e01e13;--acc-ink:#fff}\n.sq-bpg[data-comp=\"liga-mx\"]{--acc:#4c9540;--acc-ink:#fff}\n.sq-bpg__wrap{position:relative;z-index:1;padding:20px 26px 22px}\n.sq-bpg__r{position:absolute;width:0;height:0;opacity:0;pointer-events:none}\n.sqsh__top{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;flex-wrap:wrap}\n.sqsh__mark{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:9px}\n.sqsh__mark svg{display:block}\n.sqsh__wm{font-family:'Bricolage Grotesque',sans-serif;font-weight:800;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:.02em;color:var(--ink)}\n.sqsh__wm b{color:var(--sig)}\n.sqsh__geo{margin-left:auto;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:9px}\n.sqsh__geoq{font-size:11px;color:var(--dim);font-weight:600;white-space:nowrap}\n.sqsh__pills{display:inline-flex;background:rgba(255,255,255,.08);border-radius:999px;padding:3px;font-size:11px;font-weight:700}\n.sqsh__pills label{padding:5px 11px;border-radius:999px;cursor:pointer;color:var(--dim);white-space:nowrap;transition:.15s}\n.sq-bpg__r--us:checked ~ * .l-us,.sq-bpg__r--row:checked ~ * .l-row{color:var(--acc-ink);background:var(--acc)}\n@media(max-width:520px){.sqsh__geoq{display:none}}\n.sq-bpg__ttl{font-family:'Bricolage Grotesque',sans-serif;font-weight:800;font-size:19px;line-height:1.15;letter-spacing:-.01em;margin:14px 0 0;color:var(--ink)}\n.sqsh__hero{margin:12px 0 2px}\n.sqsh__lead{font-family:'Bricolage Grotesque',sans-serif;font-weight:800;font-size:18px;line-height:1.24;letter-spacing:-.01em;margin:0;text-wrap:balance}\n.sqsh__mk{color:var(--dim)}\n.sqsh__sg{color:var(--sig)}\n.sqsh__gap{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:9px;margin-top:10px;padding:5px 12px;border-radius:8px;background:rgba(168,224,57,.13);border:1px solid rgba(168,224,57,.4)}\n.sqsh__gap--agree{background:rgba(255,255,255,.06);border-color:var(--line)}\n.sqsh__big{font-family:'Bricolage Grotesque',sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-weight:800;color:var(--sig);letter-spacing:-.02em}\n.sqsh__gap--agree .sqsh__big{color:#cfe0d6}\n.sqsh__lbl{font-size:11px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:.5px;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--sig)}\n.sqsh__gap--agree .sqsh__lbl{color:var(--dim)}\n.sqsh__note{margin:9px 0 0;font-size:12px;color:var(--dim);line-height:1.4}\n.sqsh__act{margin:14px 0 6px}\n.sq-bpg__list{margin-top:16px}\n.sqsh__head,.sq-bpg__row,.sqsh__r3{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 52px 62px minmax(72px,auto) 20px;gap:10px;align-items:center}\n.sqsh__head{padding:0 2px 8px;border-bottom:1px solid var(--line)}\n.sqsh__head span{font-size:10px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:.06em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--dim);text-align:right}\n.sqsh__head span.l{text-align:left}\n.sq-bpg__row{padding:11px 2px;border-bottom:1px solid var(--line)}\n.sq-bpg__row:last-child{border-bottom:0}\n.sqsh__cell{text-align:right;font-variant-numeric:tabular-nums}\n.sqsh__mcell{text-align:left;min-width:0}\n.sqsh__mname{display:block;font-size:10px;letter-spacing:.06em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--dim);font-weight:700}\n.sq-bpg__pk{display:block;font-family:'Bricolage Grotesque',sans-serif;font-weight:700;font-size:15px;color:var(--ink);line-height:1.18;letter-spacing:-.01em;margin-top:1px}\n.sq-bpg__why{display:none}\n.sqsh__mk-n{font-size:14px;font-weight:700;color:var(--dim)}\n.sqsh__sg-n{font-size:15px;font-weight:800;color:var(--sig)}\n.sq-bpg__vd{display:inline-block;font-size:10px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:.03em;padding:3px 8px;border-radius:6px;white-space:nowrap;text-align:center}\n.sq-bpg__vd--strong{background:var(--v-strong);color:#0d2a08}\n.sq-bpg__vd--value{background:rgba(126,224,129,.16);color:var(--v-value);border:1px solid rgba(126,224,129,.4)}\n.sq-bpg__vd--fair{color:var(--v-fair);border:1px dashed rgba(255,255,255,.24)}\n.sq-bpg__vd--priced{color:var(--dim);border:1px solid var(--line)}\n.sq-bpg__vd--read{color:var(--dim);border:1px dashed rgba(255,255,255,.2)}\n.sq-bpg__vd--over{color:#e88aa8;border:1px dashed rgba(232,138,168,.4)}\n.sqsh__r3{padding:11px 2px;border-bottom:1px solid var(--line)}\n.sq-bpg__row[data-pick]{background:linear-gradient(90deg,rgba(168,224,57,.07),transparent 70%);border-radius:8px;margin:0 -6px;padding-left:8px;padding-right:8px}\n.sqsh__oc{display:block;font-family:'Bricolage Grotesque',sans-serif;font-weight:700;font-size:15px;color:var(--dim);line-height:1.18;letter-spacing:-.01em;margin-top:1px}\n.sqsh__pickflag{display:inline-block;margin-left:7px;font-size:9px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:.05em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--sig);background:rgba(168,224,57,.12);border:1px solid rgba(168,224,57,.4);padding:1px 6px;border-radius:5px;vertical-align:middle}\n.sqsh__go{text-align:right}\n.sqsh__go a{display:none;width:20px;height:20px;border-radius:5px;align-items:center;justify-content:center;color:var(--dim);border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.14);text-decoration:none;font-weight:800}\n.sqsh__go a:hover{color:var(--acc-ink);background:var(--acc);border-color:var(--acc)}\n.sq-bpg__r--us:checked ~ * .sqsh__go a{display:inline-flex}\n.sqsh__foot{margin-top:16px}\n.sqsh__strip{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:9px;background:rgba(0,0,0,.20);border-radius:9px;padding:9px 12px;margin-bottom:12px;flex-wrap:wrap}\n.sqsh__strip .h{font-size:10px;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--dim);font-weight:800}\n.sqsh__strip .rec{margin-left:auto;font-size:11.5px;color:var(--dim);font-weight:600}\n.sqsh__cta a{display:none;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:8px;text-decoration:none;background:var(--acc);color:var(--acc-ink);font-family:'Bricolage Grotesque',sans-serif;font-weight:800;font-size:15px;letter-spacing:-.01em;padding:12px 16px;border-radius:10px}\n.sqsh__cta a:hover{filter:brightness(1.07)}\n.sqsh__cta svg{display:block}.sqsh__cta svg path{stroke:var(--acc-ink)}\n.sq-bpg__r--us:checked ~ * .sqsh__cta .go-us{display:flex}\n.sq-bpg__r--row:checked ~ * .sqsh__cta .go-row{display:flex}\n.sqsh__offer{font-size:11.5px;color:var(--dim);text-align:center;margin:11px 0 0;display:none}\n.sq-bpg__r--us:checked ~ * .sqsh__offer{display:block}\n.sqsh__offer b{color:var(--v-value)}\n.sqsh__compare{text-align:center;margin:9px 0 0}\n.sqsh__compare a{font-size:12px;color:var(--dim);text-decoration:none;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.22);padding-bottom:1px}\n.sqsh__compare a:hover{color:var(--acc)}\n.sqsh__src{font-size:11px;color:var(--dim);text-align:center;margin-top:9px}\n.sqsh__src .k{color:var(--ink)}\n.sqsh__compare .only-us,.sqsh__compare .only-row,.sqsh__src .only-us,.sqsh__src .only-row{display:none}\n.sq-bpg__r--us:checked ~ * .only-us{display:inline}\n.sq-bpg__r--row:checked ~ * .only-row{display:inline}\n\/* match-outcome \u2014 the horizontal 3-way (who wins), + the section divide before the tips *\/\n.sqsh__mo{margin:14px 0 0}\n.sqsh__mo-h{font-size:10px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--dim);margin:0 0 9px}\n.sqsh__3way{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr 1fr;gap:8px}\n.sqsh__3way .sq-bpg__row,.sqsh__3way .sqsh__r3{position:relative;display:block;padding:13px 10px;border:1px solid var(--line);border-radius:11px;background:rgba(255,255,255,.03);text-align:center;margin:0;transition:border-color .15s,background .15s}\n.sqsh__3way .sq-bpg__row:last-child{border-bottom:1px solid var(--line)}\n.sqsh__3way .sq-bpg__row[data-pick]{border-color:rgba(168,224,57,.55);background:rgba(168,224,57,.10);box-shadow:inset 0 0 0 1px rgba(168,224,57,.22)}\n.sqsh__pgo{position:absolute;inset:0;z-index:3;display:none;border-radius:11px}\n.sq-bpg__r--us:checked ~ * .sqsh__pgo--us{display:block}\n.sq-bpg__r--row:checked ~ * .sqsh__pgo--row{display:block}\n.sqsh__3way .sqsh__r3:hover{border-color:var(--acc);background:rgba(255,255,255,.06)}\n.sqsh__3way .sq-bpg__row:hover{border-color:rgba(168,224,57,.85)}\n.sqsh__oc-in{display:flex;flex-direction:column;align-items:center;gap:3px}\n.sqsh__oc-name{font-family:'Bricolage Grotesque',sans-serif;font-weight:800;font-size:14px;color:var(--ink);line-height:1.15;letter-spacing:-.01em}\n.sqsh__3way .sq-bpg__pk{display:none}\n.sqsh__oc-sig{font-family:'Bricolage Grotesque',sans-serif;font-weight:800;font-size:25px;color:var(--sig);letter-spacing:-.02em;line-height:1}\n.sqsh__3way .sqsh__r3 .sqsh__oc-sig{color:#cfe0d6}\n.sqsh__oc-mkt{font-size:10px;color:var(--dim);font-weight:600;letter-spacing:.02em}\n.sqsh__oc-badge{margin-top:6px;font-size:9px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:.05em;text-transform:uppercase;padding:2px 7px;border-radius:5px}\n.sqsh__oc-badge--pick{color:var(--sig);background:rgba(168,224,57,.14);border:1px solid rgba(168,224,57,.45)}\n.sqsh__oc-badge--value{color:var(--v-value);background:rgba(126,224,129,.12);border:1px solid rgba(126,224,129,.4)}\n.sqsh__div{height:1px;background:var(--line);margin:18px 0 14px}\n@media(max-width:560px){.sqsh__head,.sq-bpg__row{grid-template-columns:1fr 44px 54px 62px 18px;gap:7px}\n .sq-bpg__pk{font-size:14px}.sq-bpg__ttl{font-size:17px}.sqsh__lead{font-size:16px}\n .sqsh__3way{gap:6px}.sqsh__3way .sq-bpg__row,.sqsh__3way .sqsh__r3{padding:10px 5px}\n .sqsh__oc-sig{font-size:21px}.sqsh__oc-name{font-size:13px}}\n<\/style>\n<div class=\"sq-bpg\" id=\"sq-bpg-aston-5nnnr03z5fg848inno5k6kw7o\" data-comp=\"\">\n <div class=\"sq-bpg__wrap\">\n  \n  <div class=\"sqsh__top\">\n    <span class=\"sqsh__mark\"><svg width=\"17\" height=\"17\" viewBox=\"0 0 696 696\" fill=\"#a8e039\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M473.282 222.72H696.002C696.002 99.6672 596.335 0 473.282 0H250.562C250.562 123.053 350.23 222.72 473.282 222.72Z\"\/><path d=\"M222.72 445.44V0C99.6672 0 0 99.6672 0 222.72C0 345.773 99.6672 445.44 222.72 445.44Z\"\/><path d=\"M473.281 250.563V696.003C596.334 696.003 696.001 596.336 696.001 473.283C696.001 350.231 596.334 250.563 473.281 250.563Z\"\/><path d=\"M222.72 473.277H0C0 596.33 99.6672 695.997 222.72 695.997H445.44C445.44 572.944 345.773 473.277 222.72 473.277Z\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"sqsh__wm\">Squawka <b>Signal<\/b><\/span><\/span>\n    \n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"sqsh__mo\"><div class=\"sqsh__mo-h\">Match outcome &middot; who wins<\/div>\n  <div class=\"sqsh__3way\">\n   <div class=\"sq-bpg__row\" data-pick=\"1\" data-market=\"Result\" data-selection=\"Aston Villa\" data-prob=\"70\" data-odds=\"\" data-confidence=\"4\"><div class=\"sqsh__oc-in\"><span class=\"sqsh__oc-name\">Aston Villa<\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__pk\">Aston Villa<\/span><span class=\"sqsh__oc-sig\">70%<\/span><span class=\"sqsh__oc-mkt\">mkt 79%<\/span><span class=\"sqsh__oc-badge sqsh__oc-badge--pick\">Our pick<\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__why\"><\/span><a class=\"sqsh__pgo sqsh__pgo--us\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/go\/kalshi?q=us-all-all-wof-s-spo\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Trade Aston Villa on Kalshi\"><\/a><a class=\"sqsh__pgo sqsh__pgo--row\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/go\/bet365?q=us-sg1-con-wof-s-spo\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Back Aston Villa with bet365\"><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n   <div class=\"sqsh__r3\"><div class=\"sqsh__oc-in\"><span class=\"sqsh__oc-name\">Draw<\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__pk\">Draw<\/span><span class=\"sqsh__oc-sig\">16%<\/span><span class=\"sqsh__oc-mkt\">mkt 12%<\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__why\"><\/span><a class=\"sqsh__pgo sqsh__pgo--us\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/go\/kalshi?q=us-all-all-wof-s-spo\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Trade Draw on Kalshi\"><\/a><a class=\"sqsh__pgo sqsh__pgo--row\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/go\/bet365?q=us-sg1-con-wof-s-spo\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Back Draw with bet365\"><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n   <div class=\"sqsh__r3\"><div class=\"sqsh__oc-in\"><span class=\"sqsh__oc-name\">Viking<\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__pk\">Viking<\/span><span class=\"sqsh__oc-sig\">14%<\/span><span class=\"sqsh__oc-mkt\">mkt 8%<\/span><span class=\"sqsh__oc-badge sqsh__oc-badge--value\">Value +6<\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__why\"><\/span><a class=\"sqsh__pgo sqsh__pgo--us\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/go\/kalshi?q=us-all-all-wof-s-spo\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Trade Viking on Kalshi\"><\/a><a class=\"sqsh__pgo sqsh__pgo--row\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/go\/bet365?q=us-sg1-con-wof-s-spo\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Back Viking with bet365\"><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n  <\/div><\/div>\n  <h2 class=\"sq-bpg__ttl\">Aston Villa vs Viking: Best Bets &amp; Predictions<\/h2>\n  <div class=\"sqsh__hero\"><p class=\"sqsh__lead\">The market prices <span class=\"sqsh__mk\">Both teams to score at 55%.<\/span> <span class=\"sqsh__sg\">Signal says 62%.<\/span><\/p><span class=\"sqsh__gap\"><span class=\"sqsh__big\">+7<\/span><span class=\"sqsh__lbl\">points of value &middot; both teams to score<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<!-- SQMV-ACT-START v1 -->\n<style>\n.sqmv{margin:4px 0 0}\n.sqmv__rows{display:flex;gap:8px;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:0 0 12px}\n.sqmv__row{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:8px;text-decoration:none;color:var(--ink);\n background:rgba(255,255,255,.05);border:1px solid var(--line);border-radius:9px;padding:7px 12px;font-size:12.5px}\n.sqmv__row:hover{border-color:rgba(168,224,57,.6)}\n.sqmv__row-v{color:var(--dim);font-weight:600}\n.sqmv__row-p{font-weight:800;font-variant-numeric:tabular-nums}\n.sqmv__cta a{display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;text-decoration:none;background:var(--acc);\n color:var(--acc-ink);font-family:'Bricolage Grotesque',sans-serif;font-weight:800;font-size:15px;\n letter-spacing:-.01em;padding:13px 16px;border-radius:10px;text-align:center}\n.sqmv__cta a:hover{filter:brightness(1.07)}\n.sqmv__offer{display:block;text-align:center;font-size:11px;color:var(--dim);margin-top:7px;line-height:1.5}\n.sqmv__best{font-size:11px;color:var(--dim);text-align:center;margin:10px 0 0}\n.sqmv__none{font-size:12.5px;color:var(--dim);text-align:center;margin:0;padding:12px;border:1px dashed var(--line);border-radius:10px}\n.sqmv__b365{display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;text-decoration:none;background:var(--acc);\n color:var(--acc-ink);font-family:'Bricolage Grotesque',sans-serif;font-weight:800;font-size:15px;\n padding:13px 16px;border-radius:10px}\n\n\/* SQMV-GEO-START *\/\n.sqmv__us{display:none}\n.sqmv__intl{display:block}\nbody[class*=\"country-us\"] .sqmv__us{display:block}\nbody[class*=\"country-us\"] .sqmv__intl{display:none}\nbody[class*=\"country-us\"] .sqsh__pgo--us{display:block}\nbody:not([class*=\"country-us\"]) .sqsh__pgo--row{display:block}\nbody[class*=\"country-us\"] .only-us{display:inline}\nbody:not([class*=\"country-us\"]) .only-row{display:inline}\n.sqmv__cta{display:none}\n.sqmv__cta--kalshi{display:block}\n\/* SQMV-GEO-END *\/\n<\/style>\n<div class=\"sqmv\"><div class=\"sqmv__us\"><div class=\"sqmv__rows\"><a class=\"sqmv__row sqmv__row--kalshi\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/go\/kalshi?q=us-all-all-wof-s-spo\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"sqmv__row-v\">Kalshi<\/span><span class=\"sqmv__row-p\">80&cent;<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"sqmv__cta sqmv__cta--kalshi\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/go\/kalshi?q=us-all-all-wof-s-spo\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Back Aston Villa @ 80&cent; &middot; Kalshi &middot; $100 &rarr; $125<\/a><span class=\"sqmv__offer\">New to Kalshi? Trade $25, Get $25 Bonus &middot; use code SQUAWKA &middot; 18+<\/span><\/div><p class=\"sqmv__best\">Best live price across US prediction markets &middot; buy YES on Aston Villa<\/p><\/div><div class=\"sqmv__intl\"><a class=\"sqmv__b365\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/go\/bet365?q=us-sg1-con-wof-s-spo\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Back Aston Villa with bet365<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<!-- SQMV-ACT-END v1 -->\n  <div class=\"sqsh__div\"><\/div>\n  <div class=\"sqsh__mo-h\">The tips &middot; best bets<\/div>\n  <div class=\"sq-bpg__list\">\n    <div class=\"sqsh__head\"><span class=\"l\">Market<\/span><span>Mkt&nbsp;%<\/span><span>Signal&nbsp;%<\/span><span>Read<\/span><span><\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"sq-bpg__row\" data-market=\"Correct Score\" data-selection=\"Aston Villa 2-1 Viking\" data-prob=\"9\" data-odds=\"\" data-confidence=\"2\"><div class=\"sqsh__mcell\"><span class=\"sqsh__mname\">Correct Score<\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__pk\">Aston Villa 2-1 Viking<\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__why\">Nicolas Jackson has already scored 3 goals in 159 minutes for Villa, and with Viking having shipped goals in results like a 3-3 draw and a 3-1 loss, a 2-1 Villa win fits the pattern.<\/span><\/div><div class=\"sqsh__cell\"><span class=\"sqsh__mk-n\">&mdash;<\/span><\/div><div class=\"sqsh__cell\"><span class=\"sqsh__sg-n\">9%<\/span><\/div><div class=\"sqsh__cell\"><span class=\"sq-bpg__vd sq-bpg__vd--read\">Model read<\/span><\/div><div class=\"sqsh__go\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/go\/kalshi?q=us-all-all-wof-s-spo\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Trade Correct Score on Kalshi\">&rsaquo;<\/a><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"sq-bpg__row\" data-market=\"Both Teams to Score\" data-selection=\"Yes\" data-prob=\"62\" data-odds=\"\" data-confidence=\"3\"><div class=\"sqsh__mcell\"><span class=\"sqsh__mname\">Both Teams to Score<\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__pk\">Both teams to score<\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__why\">Zlatko Tripi\u0107 has 3 goals and 9 chances created for Viking, enough to trouble a Villa defense that&#x27;s already shipped goals away at Club Brugge, while Villa&#x27;s own firepower makes it tough for Viking to keep a clean sheet.<\/span><\/div><div class=\"sqsh__cell\"><span class=\"sqsh__mk-n\">55%<\/span><\/div><div class=\"sqsh__cell\"><span class=\"sqsh__sg-n\">62%<\/span><\/div><div class=\"sqsh__cell\"><span class=\"sq-bpg__vd sq-bpg__vd--value\">Value<\/span><\/div><div class=\"sqsh__go\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/go\/kalshi?q=us-all-all-wof-s-spo\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Trade Both Teams to Score on Kalshi\">&rsaquo;<\/a><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"sq-bpg__row\" data-market=\"Over 2.5 Goals\" data-selection=\"Over 2.5\" data-prob=\"73\" data-odds=\"\" data-confidence=\"4\"><div class=\"sqsh__mcell\"><span class=\"sqsh__mname\">Over \/ Under 2.5<\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__pk\">Over 2.5<\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__why\">With Jackson, Barkley and McGinn combining for 6 goals already this season and Viking shipping goals in 3-3 and 3-1 scorelines, this fixture looks set for goals at both ends.<\/span><\/div><div class=\"sqsh__cell\"><span class=\"sqsh__mk-n\">75%<\/span><\/div><div class=\"sqsh__cell\"><span class=\"sqsh__sg-n\">73%<\/span><\/div><div class=\"sqsh__cell\"><span class=\"sq-bpg__vd sq-bpg__vd--fair\">In line<\/span><\/div><div class=\"sqsh__go\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/go\/kalshi?q=us-all-all-wof-s-spo\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Trade Over 2.5 Goals on Kalshi\">&rsaquo;<\/a><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"sq-bpg__row\" data-market=\"Anytime Goalscorer\" data-selection=\"Nicolas Jackson\" data-prob=\"\" data-odds=\"\" data-confidence=\"4\" data-player-id=\"amcwh6w0brmkttg4uc5qm6z9w\"><div class=\"sqsh__mcell\"><span class=\"sqsh__mname\">Anytime Scorer<\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__pk\">Nicolas Jackson to score anytime<\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__why\">Nicolas Jackson leads Villa&#x27;s line with 3 goals from 8 shots already this season, making him the obvious pick to find the net again.<\/span><\/div><div class=\"sqsh__cell\"><span class=\"sqsh__mk-n\">&mdash;<\/span><\/div><div class=\"sqsh__cell\"><span class=\"sqsh__sg-n\">&mdash;<\/span><\/div><div class=\"sqsh__cell\"><span class=\"sq-bpg__vd sq-bpg__vd--read\">Model read<\/span><\/div><div class=\"sqsh__go\"><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"sqsh__foot\">\n    <div class=\"sqsh__strip\"><span class=\"h\">Signal edge calls<\/span><span class=\"rec\">Record building &middot; settles at full-time<\/span><\/div>\n    <p class=\"sqsh__compare\"><a class=\"only-us\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/bet\/best-prediction-markets\/\">Compare all markets &rsaquo;<\/a><a class=\"only-row\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/bet\/betting-sites\/bet365\/\">bet365 review &rsaquo;<\/a><\/p>\n    <p class=\"sqsh__src\"><span class=\"only-us\">Available to US traders in all 50 states &middot; 18+<\/span><span class=\"only-row\">Odds from <span class=\"k\">bet365<\/span> &middot; 18+ &middot; <span class=\"k\">begambleaware.org<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n  <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Season Form &amp; Standings<\/h2>\n<style>\n.sq-standings table{width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;table-layout:auto}\n.sq-standings th,.sq-standings td{text-align:center;padding:8px 10px;white-space:nowrap;vertical-align:middle}\n.sq-standings th:first-child,.sq-standings td:first-child{text-align:left}\n@media (max-width:600px){\n  .sq-standings{display:block;overflow-x:auto;-webkit-overflow-scrolling:touch}\n  .sq-standings table{min-width:560px}\n  .sq-standings th,.sq-standings td{padding:6px 8px;font-size:13px}\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<p>Aston Villa have won their first 2 games, sitting on 6 points with a +7 goal difference, while Viking have taken 1 point from 2 games (1 draw, 1 loss) and sit at -2.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Champions League<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table sq-standings\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr><th>Team<\/th><th>Pos<\/th><th>GP<\/th><th>W<\/th><th>D<\/th><th>L<\/th><th>GF<\/th><th>GA<\/th><th>GD<\/th><th>Pts<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td>Aston Villa<\/td><td>3<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>0<\/td><td>0<\/td><td>9<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>+7<\/td><td>6<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Viking<\/td><td>27<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>0<\/td><td>1<\/td><td>1<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>6<\/td><td>-2<\/td><td>1<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/figure>\n\n<!-- sqstore:shop-the-match -->\n<!-- sqstore:fx home=aston-villa away=viking -->\n<div style=\"font-family:'Bricolage Grotesque',system-ui,-apple-system,Segoe UI,Roboto,sans-serif;border:1px solid #e7e2ec;border-radius:14px;overflow:hidden;margin:28px 0;background:#fff;\"><div style=\"background:#17121f;color:#fff;padding:14px 18px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:12px;flex-wrap:wrap;\"><span style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;flex-wrap:wrap;\"><span style=\"font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.16em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#b38bff;\">Shop the match<\/span><span style=\"font-size:15px;font-weight:600;\">Aston Villa <span style=\"color:#ffffff80;font-weight:400;\">v<\/span> Viking<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:11.5px;color:#ffffff99;\">Official kits via Fanatics<\/span><\/div><div style=\"display:flex;gap:12px;flex-wrap:wrap;padding:16px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/fanatics.93n6tx.net\/c\/2650836\/669352\/9663?prodsku=203500930&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fanatics.com%2Fpremier-league%2Faston-villa%2Fjerseys%2Faston-villa-adidas-home-2026%2F27-home-replica-long-sleeve-jersey-claret%2Fo-32193773%2Bt-08325393%2Bd-537742%2Bf-573859403%2Bz-9-1379188107&amp;intsrc=APIG_5042&amp;subId1=shop-the-match&amp;subId2=aston-villa-v-viking&amp;subId3=squawka-us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" style=\"flex:1 1 150px;min-width:150px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;text-decoration:none;color:#17121f;border:1px solid #e7e2ec;border-radius:10px;padding:12px;background:#fff;\"><span style=\"aspect-ratio:1\/1;border-radius:8px;background:#f6f4f8;border:1px solid #eee;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;overflow:hidden;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/feeds.frgimages.com\/_ss5_p-203500930+u-qlxu5aecotlw8y6ydbvu+v-1lfw13jmzyorjlksg4g9.jpg?_hv=2\" alt=\"Men&#x27;s adidas Claret Aston Villa  Home 2026\/27 Home Replica Long Sleeve Jersey\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:contain;mix-blend-mode:multiply;\"><\/span><span style=\"margin-top:11px;font-size:11px;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#8b8496;\">adidas<\/span><span style=\"margin-top:4px;font-size:13.5px;font-weight:600;line-height:1.3;flex:1;\">Men&#x27;s adidas Claret Aston Villa  Home 2026\/27 Home Replica Long Sleeve Jersey<\/span><span style=\"margin-top:11px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"font-size:17px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-.02em;\">$109.99<\/span><span style=\"background:#6f00ff;color:#fff;font-size:12px;font-weight:700;padding:7px 13px;border-radius:8px;\">Shop<\/span><\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/fanatics.93n6tx.net\/c\/2650836\/669352\/9663?prodsku=203615079&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fanatics.com%2Fpremier-league%2Faston-villa%2Fjerseys%2Faston-villa-adidas-2026%2F27-away-replica-long-sleeve-jersey-black%2Fo-32862695%2Bt-19101904%2Bd-868849%2Bf-494725852%2Bz-9-790510472&amp;intsrc=APIG_5042&amp;subId1=shop-the-match&amp;subId2=aston-villa-v-viking&amp;subId3=squawka-us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" style=\"flex:1 1 150px;min-width:150px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;text-decoration:none;color:#17121f;border:1px solid #e7e2ec;border-radius:10px;padding:12px;background:#fff;\"><span style=\"aspect-ratio:1\/1;border-radius:8px;background:#f6f4f8;border:1px solid #eee;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;overflow:hidden;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/feeds.frgimages.com\/_ss5_p-203615079+u-czvbpat2jjvdx1ehk7v0+v-gvey7ugpnhg0dkgsydfr.jpg?_hv=2\" alt=\"Men&#x27;s adidas Black Aston Villa 2026\/27 Away Replica Long Sleeve Jersey\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:contain;mix-blend-mode:multiply;\"><\/span><span style=\"margin-top:11px;font-size:11px;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#8b8496;\">adidas<\/span><span style=\"margin-top:4px;font-size:13.5px;font-weight:600;line-height:1.3;flex:1;\">Men&#x27;s adidas Black Aston Villa 2026\/27 Away Replica Long Sleeve Jersey<\/span><span style=\"margin-top:11px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"font-size:17px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-.02em;\">$109.99<\/span><span style=\"background:#6f00ff;color:#fff;font-size:12px;font-weight:700;padding:7px 13px;border-radius:8px;\">Shop<\/span><\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/fanatics.93n6tx.net\/c\/2650836\/669352\/9663?prodsku=203103181&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fanatics.com%2Fpremier-league%2Faston-villa%2Fjerseys%2F-aston-villa-adidas-2025%2F26-away-replica-jersey-black%2Fo-10756095%2Bt-75543193%2Bd-532228%2Bf-890632602%2Bz-9-178669586&amp;intsrc=APIG_5042&amp;subId1=shop-the-match&amp;subId2=aston-villa-v-viking&amp;subId3=squawka-us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" style=\"flex:1 1 150px;min-width:150px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;text-decoration:none;color:#17121f;border:1px solid #e7e2ec;border-radius:10px;padding:12px;background:#fff;\"><span style=\"aspect-ratio:1\/1;border-radius:8px;background:#f6f4f8;border:1px solid #eee;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;overflow:hidden;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/feeds.frgimages.com\/_ss5_p-203103181+u-rbikcnjtpsbm4921hxci+v-rxxi7wg3ucgufxbsymzv.jpg?_hv=2\" alt=\"Men&#x27;s adidas  Black Aston Villa 2025\/26 Away Replica Jersey\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:contain;mix-blend-mode:multiply;\"><\/span><span style=\"margin-top:11px;font-size:11px;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#8b8496;\">adidas<\/span><span style=\"margin-top:4px;font-size:13.5px;font-weight:600;line-height:1.3;flex:1;\">Men&#x27;s adidas  Black Aston Villa 2025\/26 Away Replica Jersey<\/span><span style=\"margin-top:11px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"font-size:17px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-.02em;\">$69.99<\/span><span style=\"background:#6f00ff;color:#fff;font-size:12px;font-weight:700;padding:7px 13px;border-radius:8px;\">Shop<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div><div style=\"padding:11px 18px;background:#f6f4f8;border-top:1px solid #e7e2ec;font-size:11.5px;color:#8b8496;line-height:1.5;\">Squawka may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices are set by the retailer and correct at time of publishing.<\/div><\/div>\n<!-- \/sqstore:shop-the-match -->\n\n<!-- SQ-LINEUPS-START -->\n\n\n<div class=\"sq-teamnews sq-teamnews--theme-ucl sq-teamnews--predicted sq-teamnews--state-predicted\">\n<style>\n.sq-teamnews,.sq-teamnews *{box-sizing:border-box}\n.sq-teamnews{\n  \/* \u2500\u2500 THEME TOKENS \u2014 only these values change per competition \u2500\u2500 *\/\n  --sq-primary:#1B5E3B;      \/* forest green \u2014 accents, formation chip        *\/\n  --sq-accent:#A8E039;       \/* electric lime \u2014 chevron + confirmed pill      *\/\n  --sq-accent-2:#C8F24C;     \/* brighter lime \u2014 chevron highlight             *\/\n  --sq-gold:#F0B429;         \/* gold \u2014 goalkeeper jersey + note markers       *\/\n  --sq-ink:#16201b;          \/* body text                                     *\/\n  --sq-surface:#ffffff;      \/* card background                               *\/\n  --sq-ground:#F4F6F2;       \/* inset background                              *\/\n  --sq-line:#E4E7E2;         \/* hairline borders                             *\/\n  --sq-muted:#6B7770;        \/* caveat \/ footnote text                       *\/\n  --sq-headA:#0e3f29; --sq-headB:#08251a;  \/* header gradient stops          *\/\n  --sq-turfA:#1c7d4b; --sq-turfB:#125e37;  \/* pitch gradient stops           *\/\n  \/* \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n  font-family:inherit;\n  color:var(--sq-ink);background:var(--sq-surface);\n  border:1px solid var(--sq-line);border-radius:16px;overflow:hidden;\n  box-shadow:0 18px 42px -30px rgba(14,36,25,.55);\n  max-width:100%;line-height:1.4;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;font-variant-numeric:tabular-nums;\n  margin:24px 0 32px;\n}\n\/* \u2500\u2500 header \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n.sq-teamnews__head{position:relative;overflow:hidden;padding:16px 18px 15px;\n  background:linear-gradient(105deg,var(--sq-headA) 0%,var(--sq-headB) 100%);\n  border-left:5px solid var(--sq-accent);color:#f4f8f1;}\n.sq-teamnews__head::before{content:\"\";position:absolute;inset:0;opacity:.06;pointer-events:none;\n  background-size:560px 560px;\n  background-image:url(\"data:image\/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 3000 3000' preserveAspectRatio='xMidYMid slice'><defs><pattern id='a' width='78' height='175.5' patternTransform='rotate(-45)' patternUnits='userSpaceOnUse'><path fill='%23ffffff' d='m-38.22 157.05-.78-78 78-.78c.45 43.12-34.12 78.33-77.22 78.78'\/><path fill='%23ffffff' d='M77.22 0 78 81.6l-78 .78C-.45 35.67 34.12.45 77.22 0'\/><path fill='%23ffffff' d='m37.78 158.05-.78-78 78-.78c.45 43.12-34.12 78.33-77.22 78.78'\/><\/pattern><\/defs><rect width='100%25' height='100%25' fill='url(%23a)'\/><\/svg>\");}\n.sq-teamnews__brandrow{position:relative;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:9px;margin-bottom:10px;}\n.sq-teamnews__chev{width:19px;height:19px;flex:none;display:block;}\n.sq-teamnews__kicker{font-size:10.5px;letter-spacing:.16em;text-transform:uppercase;font-weight:800;color:var(--sq-accent-2);}\n.sq-teamnews__pill{margin-left:auto;display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:6px;font-size:10.5px;\n  letter-spacing:.12em;text-transform:uppercase;font-weight:800;padding:5px 11px;border-radius:999px;white-space:nowrap;}\n.sq-teamnews__pill-dot{width:6px;height:6px;border-radius:50%;flex:none;}\n.sq-teamnews--predicted .sq-teamnews__pill{background:rgba(240,180,41,.16);color:var(--sq-gold);border:1px solid rgba(240,180,41,.5);}\n.sq-teamnews--predicted .sq-teamnews__pill-dot{background:var(--sq-gold);}\n.sq-teamnews--confirmed .sq-teamnews__pill{background:var(--sq-accent);color:var(--sq-headB);border:1px solid var(--sq-accent);}\n.sq-teamnews--confirmed .sq-teamnews__pill-dot{background:var(--sq-headB);}\n.sq-teamnews__h2{position:relative;margin:0;font-size:18px;line-height:1.15;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-.015em;color:#fff;text-wrap:balance;}\n\/* \u2500\u2500 caveat \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n.sq-teamnews__caveat{display:flex;gap:8px;align-items:flex-start;margin:0;padding:11px 18px;\n  background:var(--sq-ground);border-bottom:1px solid var(--sq-line);\n  font-size:12px;line-height:1.45;color:var(--sq-muted);font-style:italic;}\n.sq-teamnews__caveat svg{flex:none;margin-top:1px;opacity:.8;}\n\/* \u2500\u2500 teams grid \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n.sq-teamnews__teams{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:16px;padding:16px;}\n.sq-teamnews__team{min-width:0;}\n.sq-teamnews__teamhead{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;margin-bottom:10px;}\n.sq-teamnews__crest{width:32px;height:32px;flex:none;border-radius:7px;overflow:hidden;object-fit:cover;\n  background:var(--sq-ground);box-shadow:inset 0 0 0 1px var(--sq-line);}\n.sq-teamnews__name{flex:1;margin:0;font-size:16px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-.01em;}\n.sq-teamnews__formation{flex:none;font-size:12px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:.04em;color:var(--sq-primary);\n  background:rgba(27,94,59,.09);border:1px solid rgba(27,94,59,.2);border-radius:7px;padding:4px 9px;}\n\/* \u2500\u2500 the pitch \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n.sq-teamnews__pitch{position:relative;overflow:hidden;border-radius:11px;min-height:330px;\n  background:repeating-linear-gradient(0deg,rgba(255,255,255,.045) 0 12.5%,rgba(0,0,0,.05) 12.5% 25%),\n    linear-gradient(180deg,var(--sq-turfA) 0%,var(--sq-turfB) 100%);\n  box-shadow:inset 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,.14),0 6px 18px -12px rgba(14,36,25,.5);}\n.sq-teamnews__pk{position:absolute;pointer-events:none;}\n.sq-teamnews__pk--half{left:7%;right:7%;top:50%;border-top:2px solid rgba(255,255,255,.18);}\n.sq-teamnews__pk--circle{left:50%;top:50%;width:86px;height:86px;transform:translate(-50%,-50%);border:2px solid rgba(255,255,255,.18);border-radius:50%;}\n.sq-teamnews__pk--spot{left:50%;top:50%;width:5px;height:5px;transform:translate(-50%,-50%);background:rgba(255,255,255,.3);border-radius:50%;}\n.sq-teamnews__pk--boxb{left:24%;right:24%;bottom:0;height:19%;border:2px solid rgba(255,255,255,.18);border-bottom:none;}\n.sq-teamnews__pk--boxt{left:24%;right:24%;top:0;height:19%;border:2px solid rgba(255,255,255,.18);border-top:none;}\n.sq-teamnews__pk--goalb{left:41%;right:41%;bottom:-2px;height:7px;border:2px solid rgba(255,255,255,.28);border-bottom:none;background:rgba(255,255,255,.06);}\n.sq-teamnews__pk--goalt{left:41%;right:41%;top:-2px;height:7px;border:2px solid rgba(255,255,255,.28);border-top:none;background:rgba(255,255,255,.06);}\n\/* bands: GK at the bottom (goal), FWD at the top (attacking) *\/\n.sq-teamnews__bands{position:absolute;inset:0;z-index:2;display:flex;flex-direction:column-reverse;padding:12px 4px;}\n.sq-teamnews__band{flex:1;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;gap:2px;}\n.sq-teamnews__node{display:flex;flex-direction:column;align-items:center;gap:3px;flex:1;min-width:0;max-width:98px;}\n.sq-teamnews__jersey{width:27px;height:24px;flex:none;color:#ffffff;filter:drop-shadow(0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.45));}\n.sq-teamnews__band[data-role=\"GK\"] .sq-teamnews__jersey{color:var(--sq-gold);}\n.sq-teamnews__pname{font-size:10.5px;font-weight:700;line-height:1.12;color:#fff;text-align:center;\n  letter-spacing:-.01em;max-width:100%;overflow-wrap:break-word;\n  text-shadow:0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.75),0 0 2px rgba(0,0,0,.55);}\n.sq-teamnews__mark{color:var(--sq-gold);font-weight:800;}\nsup.sq-teamnews__mark{font-size:.72em;margin-left:1px;text-shadow:none;}\n\/* \u2500\u2500 cold-start placeholder body \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n.sq-teamnews__placeholder{margin:0;padding:22px 18px;background:var(--sq-ground);\n  font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.5;color:var(--sq-muted);text-align:center;}\n\/* \u2500\u2500 footnotes (auto-hides when there are none) \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n.sq-teamnews__notes{list-style:none;margin:0;padding:14px 16px 2px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:5px;}\n.sq-teamnews__notes:empty{display:none;}\n.sq-teamnews__notes li{font-size:11.5px;line-height:1.4;color:var(--sq-muted);}\n.sq-teamnews__notes strong{color:var(--sq-ink);font-weight:700;}\n.sq-teamnews__notes .sq-teamnews__mark{text-shadow:none;}\n\/* \u2500\u2500 footer \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n.sq-teamnews__foot{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:7px;margin-top:14px;padding:10px 16px;\n  border-top:1px solid var(--sq-line);background:var(--sq-ground);\n  font-size:10.5px;letter-spacing:.06em;text-transform:uppercase;font-weight:700;color:var(--sq-muted);}\n\/* \u2500\u2500 narrow phones: stop the header pill + 4-across bands clipping \u2500\u2500 *\/\n@media(max-width:559px){\n  .sq-teamnews__head{padding:14px 14px 13px;}\n  .sq-teamnews__kicker{font-size:10px;letter-spacing:.12em;}\n  .sq-teamnews__pill{font-size:9.5px;padding:4px 9px;letter-spacing:.08em;}\n  .sq-teamnews__h2{font-size:16.5px;}\n  .sq-teamnews__teams{padding:12px;gap:12px;}\n  .sq-teamnews__bands{padding:10px 2px;}\n  .sq-teamnews__band{gap:1px;}\n  .sq-teamnews__node{max-width:none;}\n  .sq-teamnews__pname{font-size:9px;line-height:1.05;}\n  .sq-teamnews__jersey{width:23px;height:20px;}\n}\n\/* \u2500\u2500 desktop: pitches side-by-side \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n@media(min-width:560px){\n  .sq-teamnews__teams{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;}\n  .sq-teamnews__head{padding:18px 20px 17px;}\n  .sq-teamnews__h2{font-size:21px;}\n  .sq-teamnews__name{font-size:17px;}\n  .sq-teamnews__pitch{min-height:372px;}\n  .sq-teamnews__pname{font-size:11px;}\n}\n<\/style>\n\n  <!-- \u2500\u2500 HEADER \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 -->\n  <div class=\"sq-teamnews__head\">\n    <div class=\"sq-teamnews__brandrow\">\n      <svg class=\"sq-teamnews__chev\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n        <path d=\"M4 5l7 7-7 7\" stroke=\"var(--sq-accent-2)\" stroke-width=\"3\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n        <path d=\"M13 5l7 7-7 7\" stroke=\"var(--sq-accent)\" stroke-width=\"3\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n      <\/svg>\n      <span class=\"sq-teamnews__kicker\">Team News<\/span>\n      <span class=\"sq-teamnews__pill\"><span class=\"sq-teamnews__pill-dot\"><\/span>Predicted<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n    <h2 class=\"sq-teamnews__h2\">Aston Villa vs Viking Predicted Lineups<\/h2>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <!-- \u2500\u2500 CAVEAT (predicted only) \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 -->\n  \n  <p class=\"sq-teamnews__caveat\">\n    <svg width=\"14\" height=\"14\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n      <circle cx=\"12\" cy=\"12\" r=\"9\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n      <path d=\"M12 11.2v5M12 7.4v.4\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/>\n    <\/svg>\n    <span>Predicted XI \u2014 updated for the latest team news.<\/span>\n  <\/p>\n  \n\n  \n  <!-- \u2500\u2500 TWO TEAMS, each on a pitch \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 -->\n  <div class=\"sq-teamnews__teams\">\n    \n    <section class=\"sq-teamnews__team\">\n      <div class=\"sq-teamnews__teamhead\">\n        \n        <h3 class=\"sq-teamnews__name\">Aston Villa<\/h3>\n        <span class=\"sq-teamnews__formation\">4-2-3-1<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"sq-teamnews__pitch\">\n        <div class=\"sq-teamnews__pk sq-teamnews__pk--boxt\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"sq-teamnews__pk sq-teamnews__pk--goalt\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"sq-teamnews__pk sq-teamnews__pk--half\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"sq-teamnews__pk sq-teamnews__pk--circle\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"sq-teamnews__pk sq-teamnews__pk--spot\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"sq-teamnews__pk sq-teamnews__pk--boxb\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"sq-teamnews__pk sq-teamnews__pk--goalb\"><\/div>\n        <!-- bands render GK\u2192FWD; column-reverse puts GK at the goal end -->\n        <div class=\"sq-teamnews__bands\">\n          \n          <div class=\"sq-teamnews__band\" data-role=\"GK\">\n            \n            <div class=\"sq-teamnews__node\">\n              <svg class=\"sq-teamnews__jersey\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"rgba(0,0,0,.22)\" stroke-width=\"1\" d=\"M13 3 4 7 1 14 6 17 10 14 10 30 26 30 26 14 30 17 35 14 32 7 23 3C22 7 14 7 13 3Z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <span class=\"sq-teamnews__pname\">Z. Suzuki<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            \n          <\/div>\n          \n          <div class=\"sq-teamnews__band\" data-role=\"DEF\">\n            \n            <div class=\"sq-teamnews__node\">\n              <svg class=\"sq-teamnews__jersey\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"rgba(0,0,0,.22)\" stroke-width=\"1\" d=\"M13 3 4 7 1 14 6 17 10 14 10 30 26 30 26 14 30 17 35 14 32 7 23 3C22 7 14 7 13 3Z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <span class=\"sq-teamnews__pname\">A. Wan-Bissaka<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            \n            <div class=\"sq-teamnews__node\">\n              <svg class=\"sq-teamnews__jersey\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"rgba(0,0,0,.22)\" stroke-width=\"1\" d=\"M13 3 4 7 1 14 6 17 10 14 10 30 26 30 26 14 30 17 35 14 32 7 23 3C22 7 14 7 13 3Z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <span class=\"sq-teamnews__pname\">Pau Torres<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            \n            <div class=\"sq-teamnews__node\">\n              <svg class=\"sq-teamnews__jersey\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"rgba(0,0,0,.22)\" stroke-width=\"1\" d=\"M13 3 4 7 1 14 6 17 10 14 10 30 26 30 26 14 30 17 35 14 32 7 23 3C22 7 14 7 13 3Z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <span class=\"sq-teamnews__pname\">V. Lindelof<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            \n            <div class=\"sq-teamnews__node\">\n              <svg class=\"sq-teamnews__jersey\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"rgba(0,0,0,.22)\" stroke-width=\"1\" d=\"M13 3 4 7 1 14 6 17 10 14 10 30 26 30 26 14 30 17 35 14 32 7 23 3C22 7 14 7 13 3Z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <span class=\"sq-teamnews__pname\">M. Cash<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            \n          <\/div>\n          \n          <div class=\"sq-teamnews__band\" data-role=\"DM\">\n            \n            <div class=\"sq-teamnews__node\">\n              <svg class=\"sq-teamnews__jersey\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"rgba(0,0,0,.22)\" stroke-width=\"1\" d=\"M13 3 4 7 1 14 6 17 10 14 10 30 26 30 26 14 30 17 35 14 32 7 23 3C22 7 14 7 13 3Z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <span class=\"sq-teamnews__pname\">R. Barkley<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            \n            <div class=\"sq-teamnews__node\">\n              <svg class=\"sq-teamnews__jersey\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"rgba(0,0,0,.22)\" stroke-width=\"1\" d=\"M13 3 4 7 1 14 6 17 10 14 10 30 26 30 26 14 30 17 35 14 32 7 23 3C22 7 14 7 13 3Z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <span class=\"sq-teamnews__pname\">B. Kamara<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            \n          <\/div>\n          \n          <div class=\"sq-teamnews__band\" data-role=\"AM\">\n            \n            <div class=\"sq-teamnews__node\">\n              <svg class=\"sq-teamnews__jersey\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"rgba(0,0,0,.22)\" stroke-width=\"1\" d=\"M13 3 4 7 1 14 6 17 10 14 10 30 26 30 26 14 30 17 35 14 32 7 23 3C22 7 14 7 13 3Z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <span class=\"sq-teamnews__pname\">I. Mbaye<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            \n            <div class=\"sq-teamnews__node\">\n              <svg class=\"sq-teamnews__jersey\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"rgba(0,0,0,.22)\" stroke-width=\"1\" d=\"M13 3 4 7 1 14 6 17 10 14 10 30 26 30 26 14 30 17 35 14 32 7 23 3C22 7 14 7 13 3Z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <span class=\"sq-teamnews__pname\">J. Manzambi<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            \n            <div class=\"sq-teamnews__node\">\n              <svg class=\"sq-teamnews__jersey\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"rgba(0,0,0,.22)\" stroke-width=\"1\" d=\"M13 3 4 7 1 14 6 17 10 14 10 30 26 30 26 14 30 17 35 14 32 7 23 3C22 7 14 7 13 3Z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <span class=\"sq-teamnews__pname\">J. McGinn<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            \n          <\/div>\n          \n          <div class=\"sq-teamnews__band\" data-role=\"FWD\">\n            \n            <div class=\"sq-teamnews__node\">\n              <svg class=\"sq-teamnews__jersey\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"rgba(0,0,0,.22)\" stroke-width=\"1\" d=\"M13 3 4 7 1 14 6 17 10 14 10 30 26 30 26 14 30 17 35 14 32 7 23 3C22 7 14 7 13 3Z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <span class=\"sq-teamnews__pname\">N. Jackson<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            \n          <\/div>\n          \n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n    \n    <section class=\"sq-teamnews__team\">\n      <div class=\"sq-teamnews__teamhead\">\n        \n        <h3 class=\"sq-teamnews__name\">Viking<\/h3>\n        <span class=\"sq-teamnews__formation\">4-3-3<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"sq-teamnews__pitch\">\n        <div class=\"sq-teamnews__pk sq-teamnews__pk--boxt\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"sq-teamnews__pk sq-teamnews__pk--goalt\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"sq-teamnews__pk sq-teamnews__pk--half\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"sq-teamnews__pk sq-teamnews__pk--circle\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"sq-teamnews__pk sq-teamnews__pk--spot\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"sq-teamnews__pk sq-teamnews__pk--boxb\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"sq-teamnews__pk sq-teamnews__pk--goalb\"><\/div>\n        <!-- bands render GK\u2192FWD; column-reverse puts GK at the goal end -->\n        <div class=\"sq-teamnews__bands\">\n          \n          <div class=\"sq-teamnews__band\" data-role=\"GK\">\n            \n            <div class=\"sq-teamnews__node\">\n              <svg class=\"sq-teamnews__jersey\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"rgba(0,0,0,.22)\" stroke-width=\"1\" d=\"M13 3 4 7 1 14 6 17 10 14 10 30 26 30 26 14 30 17 35 14 32 7 23 3C22 7 14 7 13 3Z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <span class=\"sq-teamnews__pname\">A. Ostbo<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            \n          <\/div>\n          \n          <div class=\"sq-teamnews__band\" data-role=\"DEF\">\n            \n            <div class=\"sq-teamnews__node\">\n              <svg class=\"sq-teamnews__jersey\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"rgba(0,0,0,.22)\" stroke-width=\"1\" d=\"M13 3 4 7 1 14 6 17 10 14 10 30 26 30 26 14 30 17 35 14 32 7 23 3C22 7 14 7 13 3Z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <span class=\"sq-teamnews__pname\">K. Haugen<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            \n            <div class=\"sq-teamnews__node\">\n              <svg class=\"sq-teamnews__jersey\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"rgba(0,0,0,.22)\" stroke-width=\"1\" d=\"M13 3 4 7 1 14 6 17 10 14 10 30 26 30 26 14 30 17 35 14 32 7 23 3C22 7 14 7 13 3Z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <span class=\"sq-teamnews__pname\">H. Falchener<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            \n            <div class=\"sq-teamnews__node\">\n              <svg class=\"sq-teamnews__jersey\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"rgba(0,0,0,.22)\" stroke-width=\"1\" d=\"M13 3 4 7 1 14 6 17 10 14 10 30 26 30 26 14 30 17 35 14 32 7 23 3C22 7 14 7 13 3Z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <span class=\"sq-teamnews__pname\">G. Stensness<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            \n            <div class=\"sq-teamnews__node\">\n              <svg class=\"sq-teamnews__jersey\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"rgba(0,0,0,.22)\" stroke-width=\"1\" d=\"M13 3 4 7 1 14 6 17 10 14 10 30 26 30 26 14 30 17 35 14 32 7 23 3C22 7 14 7 13 3Z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <span class=\"sq-teamnews__pname\">H. Heggheim<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            \n          <\/div>\n          \n          <div class=\"sq-teamnews__band\" data-role=\"MID\">\n            \n            <div class=\"sq-teamnews__node\">\n              <svg class=\"sq-teamnews__jersey\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"rgba(0,0,0,.22)\" stroke-width=\"1\" d=\"M13 3 4 7 1 14 6 17 10 14 10 30 26 30 26 14 30 17 35 14 32 7 23 3C22 7 14 7 13 3Z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <span class=\"sq-teamnews__pname\">K. Askildsen<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            \n            <div class=\"sq-teamnews__node\">\n              <svg class=\"sq-teamnews__jersey\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"rgba(0,0,0,.22)\" stroke-width=\"1\" d=\"M13 3 4 7 1 14 6 17 10 14 10 30 26 30 26 14 30 17 35 14 32 7 23 3C22 7 14 7 13 3Z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <span class=\"sq-teamnews__pname\">J. Bell<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            \n            <div class=\"sq-teamnews__node\">\n              <svg class=\"sq-teamnews__jersey\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"rgba(0,0,0,.22)\" stroke-width=\"1\" d=\"M13 3 4 7 1 14 6 17 10 14 10 30 26 30 26 14 30 17 35 14 32 7 23 3C22 7 14 7 13 3Z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <span class=\"sq-teamnews__pname\">H. Bjordal<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            \n          <\/div>\n          \n          <div class=\"sq-teamnews__band\" data-role=\"FWD\">\n            \n            <div class=\"sq-teamnews__node\">\n              <svg class=\"sq-teamnews__jersey\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"rgba(0,0,0,.22)\" stroke-width=\"1\" d=\"M13 3 4 7 1 14 6 17 10 14 10 30 26 30 26 14 30 17 35 14 32 7 23 3C22 7 14 7 13 3Z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <span class=\"sq-teamnews__pname\">Z. Tripic<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            \n            <div class=\"sq-teamnews__node\">\n              <svg class=\"sq-teamnews__jersey\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"rgba(0,0,0,.22)\" stroke-width=\"1\" d=\"M13 3 4 7 1 14 6 17 10 14 10 30 26 30 26 14 30 17 35 14 32 7 23 3C22 7 14 7 13 3Z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <span class=\"sq-teamnews__pname\">E. Botheim<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            \n            <div class=\"sq-teamnews__node\">\n              <svg class=\"sq-teamnews__jersey\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"rgba(0,0,0,.22)\" stroke-width=\"1\" d=\"M13 3 4 7 1 14 6 17 10 14 10 30 26 30 26 14 30 17 35 14 32 7 23 3C22 7 14 7 13 3Z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <span class=\"sq-teamnews__pname\">P. Christiansen<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            \n          <\/div>\n          \n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n    \n  <\/div>\n\n  <!-- \u2500\u2500 FOOTNOTES: one line per player with a note (any team) \u2500\u2500 -->\n  <ul class=\"sq-teamnews__notes\">\n    \n  <\/ul>\n  \n\n  <div class=\"sq-teamnews__foot\">\n    <svg width=\"13\" height=\"13\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n      <path d=\"M5 6l6 6-6 6\" stroke=\"var(--sq-primary)\" stroke-width=\"3\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n      <path d=\"M13 6l6 6-6 6\" stroke=\"var(--sq-primary)\" stroke-width=\"3\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n    <\/svg>\n    <span>Squawka \u00b7 Team News<\/span>\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- SQ-LINEUPS-END -->\n\n<h2>Potential Match-Winners<\/h2>\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Nicolas Jackson (Aston Villa):<\/strong> Nicolas Jackson has hit the ground running with 3 goals from 8 shots, 5 of them on target, in just 159 minutes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ross Barkley (Aston Villa):<\/strong> Ross Barkley, operating as a defensive midfielder, has still chipped in with 2 goals and an assist in 105 minutes \u2014 an aerial and set-piece threat Villa can call on again.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Zlatko Tripi\u0107 (Viking):<\/strong> Zlatko Tripi\u0107 leads Viking&#8217;s attack with 3 goals and 2 assists in 349 minutes, and his 9 chances created make him their main creative outlet.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2>Recent Form<\/h2>\n\n<h3>Aston Villa: W<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>2026-09-08: Club Brugge 2-3 Aston Villa (W, away)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Aston Villa&#8217;s form shows a 2-3 win away at Club Brugge, part of a start that has brought 2 wins from 2 games and a +7 goal difference.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Viking: D W L D<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>2026-10-13: Viking 3-3 Bayern Munich (D, home)<\/li>\n<li>2026-09-09: Stuttgart 3-1 Viking (L, away)<\/li>\n<li>2026-08-26: Viking 3-1 Dinamo Zagreb (W, home)<\/li>\n<li>2026-08-18: Dinamo Zagreb 2-2 Viking (D, away)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Viking&#8217;s form reads D W L D, including a 3-3 draw with Bayern Munich and a 3-1 loss at Stuttgart.<\/p>\n\n<h2>Aston Villa vs Viking Prediction<\/h2>\n\n<p>Signal&#8217;s model has this finishing 2-1 to Aston Villa, and the numbers back it: 6 points from 2 games with a +7 goal difference against Viking&#8217;s 1 point from 2 games. Jackson and Barkley have the firepower to get Villa over the line, while Tripi\u0107&#8217;s movement should be enough for Viking to get on the scoresheet without threatening a repeat of their 1 point so far. Villa 2-1 Viking is the call.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Predicted lineups and team news for Aston Villa vs Viking, plus our prediction, odds and best bets. See who starts and why it matters. Kick-off 3:00 PM ET.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":393,"featured_media":71620,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"aston villa vs viking","_yoast_wpseo_title":"Aston Villa vs Viking: UCL Lineups & Prediction","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Predicted lineups and team news for Aston Villa vs Viking, plus our prediction, odds and best bets. See who starts and why it matters. Kick-off 3:00 PM ET.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"news-category":[339],"class_list":["post-71619","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","news-category-champions-league"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":true},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Aston Villa vs Viking: UCL Lineups &amp; Prediction<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Predicted lineups and team news for Aston Villa vs Viking, plus our prediction, odds and best bets. See who starts and why it matters. Kick-off 3:00 PM ET.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/news\/champions-league\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Aston Villa vs Viking: Predictions, Picks, Odds &amp; Lineups\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Predicted lineups and team news for Aston Villa vs Viking, plus our prediction, odds and best bets. See who starts and why it matters. Kick-off 3:00 PM ET.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/news\/champions-league\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Squawka | US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SquawkaFootballNews\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-10-15T01:32:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/sites\/13\/2026\/10\/14212928\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league-banner.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1167\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"590\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@Squawka\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/us\\\/news\\\/champions-league\\\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/us\\\/news\\\/champions-league\\\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league\\\/\",\"name\":\"Aston Villa vs Viking: UCL Lineups & Prediction\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/us\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/us\\\/news\\\/champions-league\\\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/us\\\/news\\\/champions-league\\\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/media.squawka.com\\\/images\\\/sites\\\/13\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/14212928\\\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league-banner.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-10-15T01:29:31+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-15T01:32:02+00:00\",\"description\":\"Predicted lineups and team news for Aston Villa vs Viking, plus our prediction, odds and best bets. See who starts and why it matters. Kick-off 3:00 PM ET.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/us\\\/news\\\/champions-league\\\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/us\\\/news\\\/champions-league\\\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/us\\\/news\\\/champions-league\\\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/media.squawka.com\\\/images\\\/sites\\\/13\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/14212928\\\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league-banner.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/media.squawka.com\\\/images\\\/sites\\\/13\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/14212928\\\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league-banner.jpg\",\"width\":1167,\"height\":590,\"caption\":\"Aston Villa vs Viking predicted formations\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/us\\\/news\\\/champions-league\\\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/us\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"News\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/us\\\/news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Aston Villa vs Viking: Predictions, Picks, Odds &#038; Lineups\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/us\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/us\\\/\",\"name\":\"Squawka US\",\"description\":\"Soccer News and Predictions | Stats, Betting\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/us\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/us\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/us\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Squawka US\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/us\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/us\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/media.squawka.com\\\/images\\\/sites\\\/13\\\/2026\\\/04\\\/23072352\\\/Squawka-Logo.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/media.squawka.com\\\/images\\\/sites\\\/13\\\/2026\\\/04\\\/23072352\\\/Squawka-Logo.jpg\",\"width\":1000,\"height\":1000,\"caption\":\"Squawka US\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/us\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/SquawkaFootballNews\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/Squawka\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/squawkafootball\\\/\"],\"description\":\"Squawka is a football editorial site covering the Premier League, Champions League, MLS, Liga MX, FIFA World Cup 2026 and the wider international game. We publish match previews, tactical analysis, player and team stats, outright odds, betting tips, streaming guides and long-form features for a committed football audience. Founded in the UK and part of OneTwenty Group, Squawka now runs localised editions for the UK (squawka.com\\\/en\\\/), United States (squawka.com\\\/us\\\/), Mexican-Spanish (squawka.com\\\/us-es\\\/), Ireland, Netherlands, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa and Ghana. Each edition is editorially tailored to its market, with locale-specific competition focus, operator compliance and commercial partnerships. Traffic skews toward high-intent football readers \u2014 supporters researching fixtures, form, odds and where to watch \u2014 making Squawka a strong fit for sportsbook, prediction-market, DFS, streaming and sports-merchandise brands across the UK, Europe and North America.\",\"foundingDate\":\"2012-06-11\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Aston Villa vs Viking: UCL Lineups & Prediction","description":"Predicted lineups and team news for Aston Villa vs Viking, plus our prediction, odds and best bets. See who starts and why it matters. Kick-off 3:00 PM ET.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/news\/champions-league\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Aston Villa vs Viking: Predictions, Picks, Odds & Lineups","og_description":"Predicted lineups and team news for Aston Villa vs Viking, plus our prediction, odds and best bets. See who starts and why it matters. Kick-off 3:00 PM ET.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/news\/champions-league\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league\/","og_site_name":"Squawka | US","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SquawkaFootballNews\/","article_modified_time":"2026-10-15T01:32:02+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1167,"height":590,"url":"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/sites\/13\/2026\/10\/14212928\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league-banner.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_site":"@Squawka","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/news\/champions-league\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league\/","url":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/news\/champions-league\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league\/","name":"Aston Villa vs Viking: UCL Lineups & Prediction","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/news\/champions-league\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/news\/champions-league\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/sites\/13\/2026\/10\/14212928\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league-banner.jpg","datePublished":"2026-10-15T01:29:31+00:00","dateModified":"2026-10-15T01:32:02+00:00","description":"Predicted lineups and team news for Aston Villa vs Viking, plus our prediction, odds and best bets. See who starts and why it matters. Kick-off 3:00 PM ET.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/news\/champions-league\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/news\/champions-league\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/news\/champions-league\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/sites\/13\/2026\/10\/14212928\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league-banner.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/sites\/13\/2026\/10\/14212928\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league-banner.jpg","width":1167,"height":590,"caption":"Aston Villa vs Viking predicted formations"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/news\/champions-league\/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-viking-21-10-26-champions-league\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Aston Villa vs Viking: Predictions, Picks, Odds &#038; Lineups"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/","name":"Squawka US","description":"Soccer News and Predictions | Stats, Betting","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/#organization","name":"Squawka US","url":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/sites\/13\/2026\/04\/23072352\/Squawka-Logo.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/sites\/13\/2026\/04\/23072352\/Squawka-Logo.jpg","width":1000,"height":1000,"caption":"Squawka US"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SquawkaFootballNews\/","https:\/\/x.com\/Squawka","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/squawkafootball\/"],"description":"Squawka is a football editorial site covering the Premier League, Champions League, MLS, Liga MX, FIFA World Cup 2026 and the wider international game. We publish match previews, tactical analysis, player and team stats, outright odds, betting tips, streaming guides and long-form features for a committed football audience. Founded in the UK and part of OneTwenty Group, Squawka now runs localised editions for the UK (squawka.com\/en\/), United States (squawka.com\/us\/), Mexican-Spanish (squawka.com\/us-es\/), Ireland, Netherlands, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa and Ghana. Each edition is editorially tailored to its market, with locale-specific competition focus, operator compliance and commercial partnerships. Traffic skews toward high-intent football readers \u2014 supporters researching fixtures, form, odds and where to watch \u2014 making Squawka a strong fit for sportsbook, prediction-market, DFS, streaming and sports-merchandise brands across the UK, Europe and North America.","foundingDate":"2012-06-11"}]}},"yoast_title":"Aston Villa vs Viking: UCL Lineups & Prediction","yoast_description":"Predicted lineups and team news for Aston Villa vs Viking, plus our prediction, odds and best bets. See who starts and why it matters. Kick-off 3:00 PM ET.","yoast_keyword":"aston villa vs viking","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/71619","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/393"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/71619\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":71622,"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/71619\/revisions\/71622"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/71620"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=71619"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=71619"},{"taxonomy":"news-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-category?post=71619"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}