2019-20 Premier League: Week Seven – Aston Villa v Burnley

Premier League strugglers, Aston Villa welcome Burnley to Villa Park as both teams look to continue their quest for mid-table finishes. 

A win for Villa could lift them out of the relegation zone whilst Burnley could climb further up the table with victory.

 

Team news

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Aston Villa have no fresh injury concerns as Jonathan Kodjia (cheekbone) and James Chester (hamstring) remain sidelined. 

Burnley are set to have Johann Berg Gudmundsson available to start after a successful full week of training, following a recent calf injury despite passing a late fitness test last weekend. 

Dwight McNeil is also set to feature after recovering from a dead leg but Danny Drinkwater remains sidelined with an ankle injury. 

 

Form

Aston Villa have lost four of their opening six league games but John McGinn and Wesley both picked up their second league goals of the season in a 3-2 defeat at Arsenal, before the Villains comfortably thumped Brighton in a midweek Carabao Cup win.

Burnley have lost just one of their last three league games but are winless in three away games, with two draws and a defeat. 

 

Stat Attack

• Aston Villa have lost one of their last six meetings with Burnley in all competitions (W3, D2, L1).
• Both teams have scored in three of four previous Premier League meetings, although Villa lost 1-0 in their last clash back in May 2015.
• Jed Steer and Jack Grealish are the two sole remaining Villa players from their last meeting with Burnley in May 2015.
• Burnley’s centre-back pairing of Ben Mee and James Tarkowski has made 55 clearances, seven more than the 48 clearances by Tyrone Mings alone for Villa.
• Aston Villa are yet to score an own goal this season.

 

Prediction

Villa might finally be finding consistency in their attack after an inconsistent start which should worry Burnley’s defence a bit this weekend, particularly when they shoot from outside the box.

Burnley however have been solid if slightly slacking defensively on their travels so I can see a tough battle here with both teams sharing the spoils. 

Prediction: Aston Villa 1-1 Burnley

Result: Aston Villa 2-2 Burnley