Aston Villa will look to get back to winning ways when they host Burnley in the Premier League. Midweek, Unai Emery’s team lost 3-2 to Manchester United despite having a two-goal lead. On Boxing Day, Vincent Kompany’s team lost 2-0 to Liverpool.
Preview (Aston Villa vs. Burnley)
After watching his Lions team collapse at the Theatre of Dreams, where John McGinn and Leonard Dendoncker took advantage of careless Red Devils defense to give Villa a 2-0 halftime lead, Unai Emery appeared particularly furious in his post-match interview at Old Trafford. Alejandro Garnacho’s brace in the second half unexpectedly pulled Man United back into the game. Late in the match, Rasmus Hojlund finally opened his Premier League account.
It denied them the opportunity to pass Arsenal and take the second position in the table. The joyful Scandinavian wheeled away in uncontrollable jubilation. If the Gunners defeat West Ham United on Thursday night, Emery’s team may now find themselves four points behind the Spaniard’s previous employers. The hosts will be looking for two chances at redemption at Villa Park. Sheffield United ended their incredible 15-game Premier League winning streak just before Christmas.
If the Lions hope to improve their chances of winning the championship, they must break through an even more embarrassing run of results. Since a 3-0 thumping of Fulham twenty years ago, they have lost five of their nine home games, drawn four, and lost nine. While Aston Villa has been winning games at home this season, Burnley’s problems at Turf Moor are still very much present, as shown by their two-goal loss to Liverpool on December 26 thanks to goals from Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota.
Team News
Villa left-back Garnacho attempted to block a goal that was later ruled out. As he was being helped off the field, Lucas Digne could hardly bear any weight on his leg due to an injury. Emery later revealed that the Frenchman looked to have suffered a hamstring injury. While Bobacar Kamara is still serving his suspension, Digne, whose seat will be vacated by Alex Moreno, joins Emiliano Buendia (knee), Tyrone Mings (knee), Youri Tielemans (calf), Bertrand Traore (muscle), and Robin Olsen (knock) on the sidelines. Positively, Matty Cash has returned from his ban and could provide some freshness to the starting lineup.
Burnley, on the other hand, came out of their defeat to Liverpool with no injuries. Jack Cork’s calf injury should heal in January. Long-term knee sufferer Luka Koleosho is in their treatment room. Jacob Ramsey of Villa will get to play alongside his brother Aaron Ramsey on Saturday. Aaron Ramsey made one senior appearance for the Lions before being sent to the Clarets this summer. He last started playing for the Lions back in September. The 20-year-old will probably have to settle for another cameo in the second half. Johann Berg Gudmundsson is making an impression on the attacking side.
Aston Villa 3-0 Burnley
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