Aston Villa make Champions League squad change with UEFA ahead of Viking FK

Aston Villa have adjusted their UEFA Champions League squad ahead of their match against Viking FK, replacing the injured Matteo Ruggeri with Taylor Harwood-Bellis. Ruggeri is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury that is projected to keep him out of action for approximately two months. Under UEFA competition rules, clubs are permitted to temporarily replace an outfield player on List A who faces an injury layoff of at least 60 days.

Harwood-Bellis joins the European squad in Ruggeri's place for the league phase, though Ruggeri will be eligible to return later if he recovers. Meanwhile, defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka is also injured for Villa, but he is expected to return within four weeks and therefore does not qualify for the long-term injury replacement provision.