Aston Villa’s Premier League title hopes took a hit in the last six matches. After such a brilliant start to the campaign, the Villains won just three of their last six matches.
Although Aston Villa went unbeaten in five of those six games, they dropped seven points and will go into Saturday’s game at home against Burnley winless in back-to-back league games.
Last time out against Saturday's opponents. 💪🔜 #AVLBUR pic.twitter.com/Yz8BUhRRFX— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 28, 2023
Last time out against Saturday's opponents. 💪🔜 #AVLBUR pic.twitter.com/Yz8BUhRRFX
Unai Emery’s team is still just three points off first-placed Liverpool.
A win on Saturday would put Aston Villa level on points with the Reds before the Anfielders play Newcastle on Monday.
Burnley, on the other hand, are mired in a relegation battle. The Clarets are 19th in the league standings and five points off safety.
Vincent Kompany’s team continues to show plenty of potential in games. However, Burnley simply do not score the goals needed to win games.
The Clarets are coming off a Boxing Day loss to Liverpool at Turf Moor.
Liverpool claimed a 2-0 win in a spirited match. Burnley took seven points from their last six matches in the league.
They scored just eight times in those six games, conceding six times. Eight of Burnley’s 11 points this season came on the road.
They have been far better playing away from Turf Moor than playing at home.
Aston Villa are flying high at Villa Park. No Premier League team has played better at home in 2023-24 than Aston Villa. The Villains took 25 points from 27 points on offer at Villa Park.
Their only blemish at home came in their most recent home fixture.That match finished 1-1 against Sheffield United.
Villa conceded just six goals to their nine opponents at home. They scored 26 goals.
Aston Villa claimed a 3-1 win in the teams’ reverse fixture played in August. Full-back Matty Cash scored twice in the opening 20 minutes of the match to send Aston Villa on the way to the win.
Burnley’s Lyle Foster pulled a goal back early in the second half, but Aston Villa’s Moussa Diaby added a third just after the hour-mark.
Emery has several long-term absentees set to miss the match, including Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendia, and Robin Olsen.
Cash, the goal scorer from the reverse fixture, is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Midfielder Youri Tielemans is out with a calf injury. Bertrand Traore is also out with an injury.
Full-back Lucas Digne could return from an injury, but Boubacar Kamara is ruled out due to a suspension. Kompany’s only missing players will be Luca Koleosho and Jack Cork.
Aston Villa won the reverse fixture and should make it a double over Burnley on Saturday. The Villains should win 2-0.