Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa held to draw at relegated Burnley

By Eleanor Crooks, Press Association Sport Correspondent

Aston Villa suffered a European hangover as they could only draw 2-2 with relegated Burnley at Turf Moor.

Three days after booking their spot in the Europa League final with a thumping victory over Nottingham Forest, Villa were frustrated by a spirited display from the Clarets, who had lost five straight matches.

Swathes of empty seats reflected what a miserable season it has been for Burnley at home, but Jaidon Anthony gave them an early lead and Zian Flemming clinched a point in the second half after Ross Barkley and Ollie Watkins had scored for the visitors.

A point means Villa are not yet assured of Champions League qualification through the league, although they are four points ahead of Bournemouth with only two games to play.

Villa boss Unai Emery only made three changes from Thursday, with Barkley, Tyrone Mings and Ian Maatsen coming in, while Burnley interim boss Michael Jackson opted for six alterations from the side beaten by Leeds nine days ago, including a return from three months out injured for Axel Tuanzebe.

Morgan Rogers pulled an early shot well wide but most of the early pressure belonged to the hosts, with Loum Tchaouna – one of those brought into the side – a real threat down the right.

It was from his run that Burnley opened the scoring in the eighth minute, with Tchaouna playing the ball across to Lesley Ugochukwu, whose shot was parried by Emiliano Martinez into the path of Anthony.

Rogers had a shot deflected over and Maatsen scuffed one wide as Villa looked to respond, but they were fortunate not to be two down in the 28th minute.

Tchaouna again got away down the right and crossed for Flemming, who was afforded space after a slip by Ezri Konsa but fired wide.

Villa began to take control as the half wore on and Barkley might have done better than screw his shot wide after John McGinn had picked up the ball at the back post, while Youri Tielemans had a shot tipped over by 21-year-old German Max Weiss, making his Premier League debut for Burnley.

The youngster was beaten in the 38th minute after the ball rebounded kindly to Rogers and Watkins headed in his cross, but the goal was ruled out for a marginal offside following a VAR check.

It took the visitors only four minutes to find an equaliser that did count, though, with Weiss pushing Barkley’s long-range shot out for a corner but then beaten by a header from the midfielder.

Flemming had another chance early in the second half but could only get studs to Hannibal Mejbri’s cross, and Villa took the lead with the simplest of goals in the 56th minute.

A long kick downfield by Martinez beat the entire Burnley defence and Watkins managed to poke the ball past Weiss, but Villa’s celebrations were cut short only three minutes later as the hosts equalised.

Anthony robbed Matty Cash, Ugochukwu showed good skill to jink his way into the penalty area and find Hannibal, whose back-heel pass was thumped in by Flemming.

A brilliant last-ditch intervention by Maxime Esteve denied Barkley a second as chances continued to flow, while Burnley substitute Zeki Amdouni was denied by a smart stop from Martinez.

Villa replacement Emiliano Buendia had penalty appeals waved away late on as the visitors had to settle for a point.