Burnley v Aston Villa Match Preview
After a series of crunch games for the Clarets comes the first of our two meetings with Aston Villa and well it’s another crunch game. With Norwich already gone and Watford teetering on the precipice, the remaining relegation place lies in all probability between Everton, Leeds and ourselves. If the form book is anything to go by Leeds stand in the most danger. If the pundits are anything to go by they simply want to see the back of Burnley. The task before us is clear. Get to 40 points as quickly as we can though even that may not be enough. Aston Villa, already on 40 points but by no means mathematically safe, will doubtless be seeking to put to bed any lingering threat of relegation themselves.
Maxwel Cornet and Erik Pieters are both close to returning to the Clarets line up but Jay Rodriguez who was withdrawn during the warm up at Watford is unlikely to be fit. Wout Weghorst and Matej Vydra will therefore lead the attack. Steven Gerrard is likely to stick with Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins who were both on the scoresheet as Villa overcame relegated Norwich 2-0 at Villa Park. Winger Leon Bailey and defender Kortney Hause are likely absentees but Brazilian Phillipe Coutinho, currently on loan from Barcelona, will provide plenty of threat in an attacking midfield role.
Burnley v Villa kicks off at 3pm on Saturday. Sunday’s games see Leeds travel to Arsenal while Everton are the visitors at Leicester. The weather forecast at Turf Moor is for sunny intervals with light winds. The match referee is David Coote with Paul Tierney on VAR. COYC!
