Aston Villa 2 Burnley 1 - Report

This win over Burnley was his 80th since taking charge in November 2022, the fastest to hit the mark by 16 matches.

It was also their fourth victory in succession in all competitions and a fortnight on from branding his team “lazy” after their 1-1 draw at Sunderland, the clouds have lifted.

Emery, questioned more by supporters in the opening month of this season than in the rest of his tenure combined, is back to making good decisions. 

The inclusion of Donyell Malen here for just his fourth Premier League start since joining from Borussia Dortmund in January proved inspired. Malen scored both goals, his first since April, to secure a win which moved them to within striking distance of the table’s top half. Morgan Rogers also notched his first assist of the season to continue his own improvement.

But for Burnley keeper Martin Dubravka, Villa’s winning margin would have been even greater. As it was, the home crowd were forced to endure a nervy finish when substitute Lesley Ugochukwu took advantage of some slack home defending to pull one back.

Villa saw it out to continue their resurgence, though the true test will come after the international break with fixtures against Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool up next in the league.

Malen was one of four changes from the XI which had started Thursday’s 2-0 Europa League win over Feyenoord. Another of those saw the return of Emi Martinez, after his recovery from a calf problem.

Villa had gone behind early a week previously to Fulham from a corner but this time it was they who threatened early from set pieces.

Lucas Digne’s delivery from the left first flashed through the six-yard box with Malen, who had made a run to the near post, failing to make contact.

A Digne corner from the opposite side was then met by Ezri Konsa, who brought a fine save from Dubravka at close range.

It was hardly one way traffic. Qulindschy Hartman was denied one-on-one by Martinez, albeit before a raised offside flag negated the whole passage of play.

The assistant on that side of the pitch was antagonising the Holte End with how late he was making decisions. Another one came after Lyle Foster failed to make contact with Kyle Walker’s cross six yards out. Replays suggested VAR might have intervened, had the striker converted.

Villa just looked that bit sharper and the opening goal was forged from hard work. Ollie Watkins showed great desire to meet Torres’ pass up the touchline, found Rogers, who then showed quick feet to make space for Kamara. 

The pass through the middle was weighted perfectly for Malen’s run but with Maxime Esteve in close attendance there remained much to do and the finish, just when it looked as though the Villa man was going to be forced wide, was of some quality.

Having gone in front, Villa might have put the game to bed before the break with a bit more sharpness up front.

Esteve got a modicum of revenge on Malen by sliding in at the last minute to nick a Rogers pass away from his toes, just when the Netherlands international looked set to strike home his second.

Rogers, denied a penalty when he tumbled in the box with Axel Tuanzebe in close attendance, then overhit what should have been a simple pass to put Watkins through on goal.

The latter hooked over from close range in the closing seconds of the half after another slick passing move.

By then Burnley had threatened an equaliser when Villa failed to clear a long throw and Josh Cullen hit a low bouncing effort first-time which Martinez was forced to tip round the post.

Villa had the first big chance of the second half when Malen was allowed to turn in acres of space and run at the visiting backline. After a quick exchange with Watkins, the ball eventually broke to Rogers but he was denied one-on-one by Dubravka.

It was a fine save, though there was a sense the Villa man might have done better with the finish. 

Ultimately, Rogers had to make do with setting up the second, rather than scoring it. Picking up the ball in the middle of the Burnley half, his pass was brought under control by Malen with one touch and then sent into the bottom corner with the second. 

Dubravka, who had remained rooted to the spot for both goals, then made another excellent stop to prevent Villa adding a third when Matty Cash’s long-range effort took a wicked deflection off Esteve on its way toward goal.

That stop became more significant when Ugochukwu took advantage of slack Villa marking to head home Hartman’s corner.

Dubravka denied Rogers and then brilliantly kept out a Digne strike to ensure there would be more fingernails bitten through stoppage time. More than 10 minutes were played after Emi Buendia took a whack from Zian Flemming and was replaced by Ian Maatsen as a concussion substitute.

Villa (4-2-3-1): Martinez, Cash (Lindelof 84), Konsa, Torres, Digne, Kamara, Bogarde, McGinn (Guessand 67), Malen (Barkley 84), Rogers, Watkins (Buendia 66 (Maatsen 100)) Subs not used: Maatsen, Buendia, Elliott, Guessand, Onana, Jimoh-Aloba, Bizot (gk).

Burnley (5-4-1): Dubravka, Walker, Tuanzebe, Laurent (Flemming 82), Esteve (Worrall 100), Hartman, Tchaouna (Broja 59), Cullen, Florentino, Anthony (Bruun Larsen 59), Foster (Ugochukwu 69) Subs not used: Edwards, Humphreys, Mejbri, Weiss (gk).