There are two matches to be played in the English Premier League on Thursday, beginning with the meeting between Aston Villa and Burnley at Villa Park. The hosts begin the week in 11th place on 18 points while the visitors are in 17th place on 9 points.
Aston Villa come into the game having recorded a good 1-0 victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers on the weekend. Aston Villa managed to survive the chances created by the hosts and won a late penalty to seal maximum points. It was an important victory for Aston Villa who had slumped to defeats in their previous two Premier League matches. The defeats came at home against Brighton and away against West Ham.
Home form in the Premier League has been disappointing of late and Aston Villa have lost each of their last 3 Premier League games at Villa Park. In addition to the loss against Brighton, Aston Villa have also been defeated by Southampton and Leeds United.
Trends show Aston Villa have been struggling to keep clean sheets at home in the Premier League. They have conceded 2 or more goals in each of their last 4 home league games. Over 2.5 goals have been scored in all 4 of those matches, with an average of 5.5 goals scored across the 4 games. However, it is worth remembering there were 9 goals scored in the freak 7-2 win over Liverpool.
Burnley make the trip to Villa Park having picked up an excellent 1-0 win away at Arsenal on the weekend. Burnley managed to stay in the game and following the dismissal of Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, Burnley took maximum points courtesy of an own goal.
That result means Burnley have remained undefeated in 4 of their last 5 Premier League matches. In addition to the victory at Arsenal, Burnley defeated Crystal Palace 1-0 at home and picked up a point at Brighton and at home against Everton.
However, trends show Burnley have won only 2 of their last 12 Premier League games. They have lost 3 of their last 6 away league matches by margin of 2 or more goals. Burnley have also been struggling to score goals on the road and have failed to find the back of the net in 3 of their last 4 away Premier League games.
Team news and Aston Villa are without the suspended duo of Matty Cash and Douglas Luiz. Trezeguet and Wesley Moraes remain on the treatment table while Keinan Davis, Ross Barkley, and Björn Engels are doubtful.
Burnley travel with doubts over the fitness of Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Jack Cork. Every other player should be fit and available for the visitors.
Preparation for Thursday underway 👊 pic.twitter.com/8fhYSdcJIU— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) December 15, 2020
Preparation for Thursday underway 👊 pic.twitter.com/8fhYSdcJIU
Burnley will be aiming to keep a clean sheet as their priority in this game and therefore we may see under 2.5 goals scored. However, Aston Villa will be feeling confident following their victory at Wolves and could breakdown the visitors to win the match with a clean sheet.