Burnley‘s fight to avoid relegation from the Premier League continues on Thursday night, as Aston Villa play host to the Clarets at Villa Park. Some may argue that Steven Gerrard has performed below expectations since arriving at Villa Park, with the Lions embarking on a spending spree but competing in the lower echelons of the table during an underwhelming 2022.
Aston Villa can take solace in the fact that they have overcome both Chelsea and Arsenal in their final home games of the season over the past two years, but Gerrard’s side have only won twice at home in 2022 and ought to be prepared for a true battle in physicality this week.
Burnley will begin Thursday down in the relegation zone but will rise above Leeds United with a point at Villa Park, while a victory could also see Everton there for the taking if the Toffees fail to get the better of Crystal Palace at the same time.
With a rampageous Newcastle United visiting Turf Moor on the final day of the season, gleaning a positive result from Villa Park is of paramount importance to the Clarets
A draw would be enough for Burnley to demote Leeds to 18th place heading into the final day, so the temptation to set up in a similar way to the Spurs clash and try to play for a draw will be very real for Jackson and co.
Gerrard’s side have already claimed one win over Burnley this month and will not expect to suffer a significant reverse in fortunes in spite of their struggles for victories at Villa Park, so we can envisage this battle ending without a single goal.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
