- Burnley 2-2 Aston Villa
- Jaidon Anthony (9′), Zian Flemming (59′)
- Ross Barkley (42′), Ollie Watins (56′)
Aston Villa failed to capitalise on a great opportunity to step closer to Champions League qualification, after drawing 2-2 with relegated Burnley at Turf Moor. For a team that looked so good on Thursday night, they showed a complete contrast in performance as they were well below par.
Villa looked to make inroads early as a chance fell to Morgan Rogers inside the opening minutes. John McGinn played a superb ball to split the Burnley defenders, but the 23-year-old dragged his shot wide.
However, it was Jaidon Anthony who took the lead for the home side. Villa were left vulnerable after an attack and Burnley hit them on the counter. Lesley Ugochukwu struck a tame shot at Emi Martinez who parried it into the path of Anthony to tap in.
After a slow start by the Villans, they began to dominate possession. A couple of nicely worked passages of play weren’t able to come to fruition, but they started to move the ball a lot better.
But then, a golden opportunity came to Zian Flemming. Ian Maatsen was easily beaten down the right by Loum Tchamouna, who managed to cross the ball into the box into a dangerous area. After Ezri Konsa slipped, Flemming had a free shot, but somehow managed to blast wide.
Villa once again found some control and continued to knock on the door. They created a few chances, before Ollie Watkins had a goal disallowed for offside. Rogers fizzed a ball into the box and the striker found the back of the net, but his left foot was slightly ahead of the Burnley defender.
Only a few minutes later Villa finally equalised. John McGinn placed the perfect ball at the near post for Ross Barkley to flick into the far corner.
In the early stages of the second half, both teams showed dangerous signs towards each other’s goal.
Then in the 56th minute, Martinez showcased a moment of brilliance. He played an outstanding ball over the top of the Burnley defence, which Watkins ran onto, and with the slightest of touches slotted the ball underneath Max Weiss to take the lead.
But only a few minutes later, Flemming levelled. Matty Cash was dispossessed inside his own half, and after a nice piece of footwork by Ugochukwu, Mejbri laid it off for Flemming to rifle it home.
Barkley came close to doubling his tally in the 65th minute, when he was played through by Watkins. However, Esteve made a crucial block to deny him.
Emi Buendia came on in the 75th minute, and almost made an impact. He was caught by Kyle Walker inside the box, which perhaps should have been given as a penalty, but the referee waved it away.
Then towards the end of the game, Burnley missed a huge chance to get the winner. Zeki Amdouni failed to get clean contact on the ball after being picked out inside the box.
The game drew to a close, finishing 2-2.
Here’s ReadAstonVilla’s full-time ratings
Emi Martinez – 6
Made an error for the first goal, but wasn’t at fault for the second. Played an exceptional pass to assist Watkins when Villa initially took the lead. Didn’t really have too much to do.
Matty Cash – 4
Wasn’t good enough in the final third despite being able to get forward. Was dispossessed in the lead up to Burnley’s second. Lost five of his six ground duels, making it a disappointing performance.
Ezri Konsa – 6
Solid game, perhaps could have moved the ball quicker, but did his job. 82/82 passes made and 7/7 ground duels won.
Tyrone Mings – 4
Lost all five of his ground duels and just seemed to be below the level Villa needs. Probably a sign of his career at the club coming to an end, as it was another weak performance.
Ian Maatsen – 4
Overall had a poor game. Beaten too easily several times by Tchaouna, and when he was able to get forward in the second half, his execution was dreadful.
Victor Lindelöf – 5
An average game by the Swede. Wasn’t troubled defensively throughout the game and wasn’t on the ball high up the pitch for Villa. Did the job that was asked of him.
Youri Tielemans – 5
Sub-par performance for his standards. Seemed to struggle with pace when having to defend and gave the ball away too often.
John McGinn – 6
Certainly not at his best today. A bit sloppy in possession, and didn’t really put enough pace on his passes. Created a couple of chances, and managed to assist Barkley for Villa’s equaliser, but missed a great chance at the far post to retake the lead.
Ross Barkley – 6
Probably Villa’s best player. Had good movement at times to create space for himself, and smartly flicked a header from a corner to equalise in the first half.
Morgan Rogers – 4
Ineffective game. Had a chance early on to take the lead, but dragged his shot wide. Really poor in possession, lost the ball several times. Has to be better given the talent he has.
Ollie Watkins – 7
Didn’t have service in the first half but became more and more involved in the second. Unlucky to have his first goal disallowed, but did very well to score from Martinez’s long ball. Worked very hard as usual.
Subs:
Lucas Digne (for Maatsen, 75′) – N/A
Emi Buendia (for Lindelöf, 75′) – N/A
Douglas Luiz (for Barkley, 80′) – N/A
Lamare Bogarde (for Cash, 80′) – N/A
Leon Bailey (for McGinn, 85′) – N/A
