Last time out, Aston Villa welcomed back their 1982 heroes in a disappointing draw with Crystal Palace. Their attention has now turned to Burnley. The Clarets require a victory now more than ever, with Leeds pushing them back into the relegation zone.
I spoke to Turf Cast Podcast about the clash at Turf Moor, Burnley’s change in fortune and their chances of survival.
UTV PODCAST X TURFCAST
When these two sides met just over two weeks ago, Villa put an end to Burnley’s unbeten run and stuck three goals pass them. What did you make of the game?
I think ultimately you were just better than us, and you won the tactical battle. We usually defend quite well, that’s what we’re known for, but we defended too high up the pitch against your front three that everyone knows has bags of pace and it was too easy for you to get in behind and expose us.
Turf Cast Podcast
As I mentioned, before the reverse fixture Burnley were unbeaten in four (drawing one and winning three), since then Burnley have lost against Spurs and slipped back into the bottom three. What has changed since the Villa game?
The Villa defeat was damaging, and we were never going to win at Spurs, even if we were very unlucky to be on the losing side. The only bad performance under Jackson has been he Villa one, so hopefully we can learn our lessons from that and put in a better defensive performance this time out.
Turf Cast Podcast
Burnley currently sit 18th in the table with a game in on hand on Leeds. If Burnley win or draw, they come out of the relegation zone going into the final game of the season. How confident are you that Burnley can escape relegation in their final two games?
It’s obviously creating a lot of anxiety, and it might be that talking when say I just can’t see us getting out of it now. This game against you is massive, if we can grab a point or better yet a win then I will change my mind but honestly I think the late Leeds goal at the weekend may have killed us. Football fans are fickle I know, but I was very confident before our game at Turf Moor and now I’m resigned to it, funny old game.
Turf Cast Podcast
Finally what are your score predictions for the game?
It will be 1-0 to Villa or 0-0, I don’t want to stick my neck out anymore than that – with it being a must win for us we should be up for it, so fingers crossed we can come at you all guns blazing like we did against Brighton at the Amex earlier in the season.
Turf Cast Podcast
HEAD-TO-HEAD PLAYER STATS
GOALS
- 11 Goals | Ollie Watkins (AVL)
- 8 Goals | Maxwel Cornet (BUR)
- 7 Goals | Danny Ings (AVL)
ASSISTS
- 6 Assists – Danny Ings (AVL)
- 6 Assists – Emi Buendia (AVL)
- 3 Assists – Josh Brownhill (BUR)
MY PREDICTION
Another hard one to predict given Burnley’s current situation but if Aston Villa play at the level they played at against Palace, I can see Burnley pulling off a shock result. I think that it will be a game that Villa will dominate but the lack of a clinical finisher will cost Villa once again in a frustrating evening that will finish 1-1. Ramsey will grab the goal.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Paul Tierney. Assistants: Lee Betts, Simon Long. Fourth official: Craig Pawson. VAR: John Brooks. Assistant VAR: Sian Massey-Ellis.
PLAYED FOR BOTH VILLA & BURNLEY
Aston Villa and Burnley have quite a selection of players who have represented both clubs in recent history. Tom Heaton, Matt Lowton, Ashley Westwood and Danny Drinkwater.
LAST TIME AT VILLA PARK | ASTON VILLA 0-0 BURNLEY
ELLIS BURNETT | UTV PODCAST
Author’s UTV PODCAST archive ellisburnett – UTV Podcast | An Aston Villa Blog
UTV PODCAST | LATEST NEWS
Check out the latest news from the UTV PODCAST HQ.
VILLA BELLAS
Villa Bellas is the Official AVFC Women’s Network. In an unequal and often unrelenting world we work to break down barriers for equality.
Our network aims to raise the voice of women and non-binary people at @AVFCOfficial We support inclusion & diversity and with our allies, we can challenge sexism and misogyny, creating a safe and welcoming environment for the fans in the stands and the women on the pitch.
Let’s celebrate ourselves and champion each other while having fun doing it!
Twitter: @villabellas Instagram: @villa.bellas
SUBSCRIBE
Enjoying this article – then please subscribe to UTVPODCAST | An Aston Villa Blog to help us grow and support the site; you’ll receive instant email notifications of all released article.
Plus, it’s completely free.
FACEBOOK | UTV PODCAST AN ASTON VILLA BLOG
Tap the icon button to join our Facebook page for instant notifications of all the website releases.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook and Twitter readers, click the respective icon below to follow our utvpodcast social media accounts.
DONATE
You can now donate to UTVPODCAST | An Aston Villa Blog– a small donation would go a long way to support the continued evolution of our site.
Thank you so much for your support.
