Aston Villa youngster Alysson has described his performance against Viking as a “dream night” after helping Unai Emery’s side secure a convincing 3-1 victory in the UEFA Champions League.
The 20-year-old Brazilian winger played a decisive role in Villa’s attacking display, winning a penalty and contributing to another goal as the Premier League side maintained their perfect start to the league phase.
His impressive performance at Villa Park earned him the club’s Player of the Match award, capping a memorable European evening for a player continuing to make his mark at the highest level.
Alysson’s pace, direct running and willingness to take on defenders proved difficult for Viking to contain. His influence was particularly evident in the build-up to Villa’s second goal, when he was brought down inside the penalty area.
Following a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty, which Emi Buendía confidently converted to extend Villa’s advantage.
The Brazilian then played another key role after the break, driving forward on one of his trademark runs before seeing his effort deflected into the net by Viking defender Henrik Heggheim. The goal put Villa 3-0 ahead shortly after the hour mark and effectively strengthened their grip on the contest.
For Alysson, the occasion carried extra significance as he spoke to VillaTV after the final whistle, delivering his first interview in English.
“It was a dream night for me, for my family,” he said.
“I’m very proud, me and my team, my team-mates.
“The phrase is ‘dream night’.
“For me, it’s perfect.”
The youngster’s emotional reaction reflected the importance of the performance, with his contribution helping Villa maintain their impressive momentum in European competition.
Emery’s side have now recorded three victories from their opening three Champions League league-phase matches, collecting a maximum nine points and remaining level at the top of the standings.
Villa’s latest success also added another milestone to the club’s European history. The victory marked their 20th win in the competition after just 30 matches, making them the second-fastest team to reach that figure, behind only Real Madrid, who achieved the feat in 29 games.
Their dominance at Villa Park has been equally impressive. The result extended their European home winning streak to 12 consecutive matches and took their unbeaten run across all competitions to six games, including five victories.
For Alysson, the goal involvement against Viking represented another encouraging step in his development since joining Villa. Although he is still waiting to score his first European goal for the club, his contribution demonstrated the attacking threat he can offer when given space to run at defenders.
The winger was delighted to have made such a telling impact, particularly after repeatedly trying to find the net during the match.
“I’m very happy,” he added.
“I tried sometimes in the game so, in this action, I’m feeling happy.
“I’m very happy.”
Alysson’s display will give Emery another reason to trust the young Brazilian as Villa navigate a demanding European campaign alongside their domestic commitments.
His ability to create chances, win fouls in dangerous areas and attack defenders directly adds another dimension to Villa’s forward line.
With three wins from three in Europe, Villa have made a strong statement about their ambitions this season. But for Alysson, the victory over Viking may be remembered for something more personal: a breakthrough performance, recognition from supporters and a night that lived up to his dream.
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