Dave's Take on the Villa Thrashing...

Due to a holiday in Scotland, I am forced to rely on a second-hand account of Burnley’s defeat at home to Aston Villa last Saturday from my Son, who occupied my seat in my absence, and on a Radio 5 commentary which was frequently interrupted in order to chronicle Bristol Rovers’ improbable promotion from League 2.

Between them, my Son and the radio provided me with details of a Burnley performance not lacking in endeavour but short on quality and punctuated with defensive lapses.

The first of these allowed Danny Ings through to give Villa an early lead.

The same Danny Ings whose partnership with Sam Vokes supplied the goals to propel Burnley to promotion in 2014; the same Danny Ings who turned on a loose ball in the Blackburn penalty area and provided us with our first win over Rovers in decades; that Danny Ings; our Danny Ings.

Unlike Vokes, who since his departure has had the good grace to stay away, Ings seems to have made it his mission in life to heap as much misery on his former employers and their fans as possible, be it for Southampton and now for Aston Villa. But given the plight Burnley now find themselves in, his goal on Saturday may have inflicted the deepest wound of all.

In keeping with this grim recent tradition, Ings’ celebrations were muted “out of respect”, an etiquette first established by Denis Law in 1974 when his casual backheeled finish for Manchester City relegated Manchester United. You can keep your “respect”, Danny, I don’t want it! I would just as soon you had knee-slid along the touchline with your hand tauntingly cupping your ear in the direction of the Burnley fans who once adored you.

Further Villa goals followed from Buendia in the first half and Watkins in the second. As the game meandered towards its inevitable conclusion, Maxwel Cornet pulled a goal back for the Clarets in stoppage time.

To make matters worse, James Tarkowski limped from the field adding to an already inconveniently lengthy Clarets’ injury list.

A sense of perspective is perhaps called for at this point. Despite impressive recent results and improved performances, Burnley under Mike Jackson have not suddenly transformed themselves into 1970 Brazil or 2008 Barcelona. Setbacks were inevitable and it is now a matter of extreme importance that the Clarets regroup and marshal their resources to mount an effective response in each of their remaining three games.

Sunday’s results for Everton and for Leeds have sharpened Burnley’s focus. The task before them is purely – if not simply – to match the results of Leeds United from here on in. If they do so, then Burnley’s superior goal difference will see them safe.