Unai Emery’s Aston Villa missed a golden chance to virtually secure a top-five Premier League finish after being held to a 2-2 draw by Burnley, who stretched their winless run at home in the league to 14 matches.
Zian Flemming of Burnley celebrates his second goal alongside Jaidon Anthony
Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
With Burnley already resigned to relegation, only Aston Villa had something substantial to play for, a fact evident from the opening minutes. John McGinn played Morgan Rogers through between the home center-backs, but his shot went wide of the goal guarded by Premier League debutant Max Weiß.
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That missed opportunity proved costly when, before the 10-minute mark, Emiliano Martínez could only parry a shot from Lesley Ugochukwu, leaving the ball on a plate for a grateful Jaidon Anthony to put the hosts ahead against the run of play.
Villa were well below their best in the first half, and Burnley could have doubled their lead midway through. Loum Tchaouna was the driving force behind the Clarets’ best attacks, and after one of his crosses, Zian Flemming found himself unmarked in the box, but the Dutchman fired well wide.
Emery’s side thought they had equalized when Ollie Watkins headed home a Rogers cross, but VAR ruled the goal out for a marginal offside. However, the equalizer did come soon after, and this time there was no doubt: Ross Barkley powered a header from a McGinn corner into the net.
Villa emerged with renewed purpose after the break, and their persistence paid off in a curious fashion. Martínez, making amends for his earlier error, launched a long ball that allowed Watkins to spin behind the defense, beat Weiß, and put the visitors ahead.
The joy was short-lived as a moment of overconfidence from Matty Cash led to a turnover in his own half. Hannibal Mejbri provided a delicate touch, and Flemming slotted home into the corner to level the score.
It was notable that Emery waited until after the 70th minute to make attacking substitutions, but it was one of his regulars who squandered a glaring chance: McGinn, alone at the far post, headed wide when it seemed easier to score.
Both teams had opportunities to snatch victory in the closing stages, but neither could find the third goal. The draw will undoubtedly taste worse for Villa, who knew that three points would have virtually guaranteed their place in the top five.