PREVIEW: BURNLEY V ASTON VILLA

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Clarets take on Villa at Turf Moor this weekend

2022-05-06T10:57:00.229Z

PREVIEW: BURNLEY V ASTON VILLA

Clarets take on Villa at Turf Moor this weekend

2022-05-06T10:57:00.229Z

Burnley host Aston Villa on Saturday (3pm) in another crucial Premier League game.

The Clarets have four games left, as they sit in 16th place with 34 points from 34 games.

Under-23s manager Mike Jackson is acting as interim manager and has led Burnley to three wins and a draw in his four fixtures. He has been nominated for Premier League Manager of the Month for April.

“I enjoy working with the players. I enjoy being on the grass. I enjoy the competitive side because it’s something I’ve always done. I’m in a privileged situation. I’ve got a chance to manage a Premier League club who are a great group of lads and staff.”

The Clarets haven't faced Villa yet this season, scheduled to play the Midlands side twice in 11 days.

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“It is odd when you haven’t played a team so far at this stage of the season. Obviously, Villa are a good side, they’ve got a good manager and a good set of staff. Like anyone In the Premier League, they’ve got their strengths and their weaknesses.”

Jackson hasn’t previously met former Liverpool and England midfielder Steven Gerrard before, their paths haven’t crossed previously in playing or management.

“The thing I always noticed about him, as a player, he played the game as though it was the last one he was going to play. That’s how you want your players to be.”

Both Everton and Leeds United play on Sunday away to Leicester City and Arsenal respectively and Jackson explains it may only be an advantage if the Clarets win.

“It can be if you get a positive result. You are the first up but it is about making sure we deliver on that day, it doesn’t make any difference on who plays when, if you don’t.”

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Form

The Clarets have won their last three Premier League games for the first time in three years. The last time they won four in succession was a run of five wins in March/April 2018 on the way to qualifying for Europe.

Last season Burnley came from behind twice to beat Aston Villa 3-2 at Turf Moor.

Steven Gerrard’s side beat already relegated Norwich City 2-0 last Saturday with goals from England internationals Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings.

Opposition guide

Villa have 40 points and sit in 13th place, three places and six points above Burnley.

Gerrard replaced Dean Smith as Villa manager in November 2021. He led Rangers to the Scottish title last season ending Celtic’s nine-year reign as champions.

Villa were promoted back to the Premier League in 2019 after a 2-1 play-off win over Derby County at Wembley.

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Gerrard has studied Burnley closely and said “I’ve watched their last three or four games and they’ve got really good technical players, they’ve got a really strong mentality within the group and they’re desperate to stay in the Premier League.

“If they achieve that, they’ve probably punched above their weight compared to other teams, but that’s none of my business. My business is to take maximum points off Burnley tomorrow.

“We’ve analysed a good, strong team that are on a new manager bounce, but my priority is to make sure Aston Villa go there and get the win.”

Match stats.

Matt Lowton played for Villa between 2012 and 2015. He could make his 200th appearance for Burnley in all competitions.

Charlie Taylor is set to make his 300th English club appearance on Saturday.

Danny Ings was promoted with Burnley in 2014 and was voted Player of the Season in the Championship in 2013/14.

Phil Bardsley had a loan spell at Villa Park in 2007. His last game with the Midlands club was a 2-0 win at the Etihad.