As the Premier Leagues season draws to a close today, and with nothing to play for any of the teams except Newcastle and Hull it means that we can end this season without worrying about relegation. One that began with Paul Lambert and Roy Keane in charge to one that ends with Tim Sherwood and Kevin Macdonald at the helm at Villa Park and they will be hoping that the season ends on a high note over an already relegated Burnley. The reverse of this fixture at the end of November, was a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor in which Joe Cole scored his one and only Villa goal so far.
This weekend’s visitors Burnley already know they will be playing in the Championship next season, as they were relegated 2 weekends previous despite winning at relegation threatened Hull. But despite that they can look back on their season with some pride, as with the smallest budget in the league, they have at least competed to stay in the division for a majority of the season and have memories of beating the likes of Manchester City a home. But one of the main reasons Sean Dyche’s team have been relegated is that they suffered a chronic lack of goals this season, with the much wanted Danny Ings the only player to hit double figures with the rest of his team mates struggling to get anywhere near, with Ashley Barnes next on 5. Tom Heaton’s call up to the England side this weekend, shows how good a job he did at the other end of the pitch in order to keep them competitive for this long. They signed off their season in front of their home fans last week, with a bore draw against Stoke at Turf Moor but will hope to put on a better display in their final Premier League game for at least the next 15 months.
Sean Dyche is likely to shuffle his pack, as he is likely to give Steven Reid his Premier League send-off as the ex Blackburn defender is to retire this summer however he is set to give Danny Ings his final Burnley appearance as the striker looks set to move elsewhere this summer. Burnley also have the luxury of having no fresh injury worries ahead of today’s clash.
For Villa, this home game many would have been predicted to be a relegation decider not so long ago, but thanks to each clubs respective form it has proved not to be the case. Last Saturday’s hammering at Southampton bought a mixture of feelings. The first being that we had put in our worst performance under Sherwood and we got deservedly beaten and the second being we were guaranteed safety thanks to Hull losing to Spurs. What this Sunday represents is a chance to sign off in style after a season dominated by doom and despair for large portions of it.
Tim Sherwood has said that he will not risk senior players ahead of next Saturday’s FA Cup final so the likes of Delph, Grealish, Benteke and Cleverley are likely to be sitting out this one. This however means that some fringe/young players are likely to get a chance to impress the manager ahead of next season. Attacking midfielder Andre Green, defender Lewis Kinsella and forward Callum Robinson are all likely to be involved. Kieran Richardson is ruled out however with a calf injury, whilst defensive duo Baker and Clark will both sit this one out. It will also be interesting to see if Brad Guzan is brought back into the team ahead of Given who conceded 6 last week at St Mary’s.
As a turbulent season draws to end at Villa Park, it offers Sherwood and his team an opportunity to put behind them last week’s drubbing at Southampton and put everyone in the mood for next weeks FA Cup final against Arsenal. Here’s to a victory that sets the tone for next week!
