With an FA Cup final awaiting Aston Villa next weekend and survival already assured, Villa park was rocking at kick off against Burnley, with expectations and confidence high. The game somewhat failed to send Villa fans home happy at the end of an abysmal season though.
Villa started with Jed Steer in goal with it surfacing at full time that Shay Given is struggling with a groin injury. Defensive frailties have been the biggest issue for Aston Villa this season, and a lack of goals. The frailties were shown after only 6 minutes when outgoing Burnley striker, Danny Ings struck from an Ashley Barnes cross. It was the first meaningful attack by a poor Burnley outfit. Villa were lucky not to be 2-0 down though before the end of the first half when Ings spurned a great opportunity to double his tally for the afternoon. The first half was all Burnley with Villa struggling to muster a decent attempt on goal.
The second half was a totally different game to the first half. Unfortunately for Villa Tom Heaton was illustrating why Roy Hodgson had given the ex-Man United keeper his first call up, denying Benteke and Delph on a handful of occasions. It was proving to be a frustrating afternoon for Villa with every chance spurned or dramatically saved by Heaton.
As FA Cup final warm ups go the past two weeks have not been good for Villa’s confidence. But after a tough season, Wembley and a final is the perfect end. Villa finish a disappointing season in 17th place. An achievement given where Lambert left the club.
