Aston Villa vs Burnley tips and predictions: Villa to end amazing year with a flourish

If you told Aston Villa fans at the start of the year that their team would finish the year in the top four and would be in the knock-out stages of the Europa Conference League, they would think you were crazy.

But here we are, guarenteed to finish the year in the top four and finiding themselves in an unlikely title race, Unai Emery's men have been outstanding over the last 12 months. 

Despite a tough couple of games, the 1-1 draw against bottom side Sheffield United and the 3-2 defeat at Manchester United, Villa will be over the moon with the progress they have made over the last year and will be looking to maintain that form in 2024, with Manchester City and Tottenham hot on their heels. 

At the other end of the table, things have been gloomy for Vincent Kompany's Burnley, who find themselves five points from safety. 

There were high hopes in Lancashire for this season after the Clarets romped to the Championship title last season, but they have struggled to establish themselves, with their home form a particular concern. 

They've struggled in front of goal, with the Clarets averaging less than a goal per game, while in defence they have conceded 38 goals, only Sheffield United have conceded more. 

If Aston Villa pick themselves up from the Boxing Day disappointment at Old Trafford, it should be a comfortable win for them in a fixture that they have traditionally claimed points. 

The Burnley defence will be having nightmares about facing Ollie Watkins, who has 17 goal involvements this season, and he has three goal involvements in five appearances against the Clarets, so he will be worth a look at in both the goalscoring and assist markets. 

Villa's home form has been excellent this calendar year; recording 15 consecutive home wins before Sheffield United halted that run last week, and they scored bags of goals in that run, scoring three or more on eight occasions. 

Burnley have struggled away from home this season, but last time out on their travels they eased to a comfortable 2-0 victory at Fulham and will be needing a repeat of that performance to stand a chance of taking something from Villa Park. 

Aston Villa should return to winning ways here and win comfortably against a poor Burnley side. 

 

Team news: 

Matty Cash is available for Aston Villa after being suspended for the trip to Old Trafford after accumulating five yellow cards, while Boubacar Kamara has one match left to serve in his suspension after being sent off at Brentford.

Youri Tielemens, Tyrone Mings, Emiliano Buendia, Robin Olsen and Bertrand Traore are all ruled out with injury.

Luca Koleosho and Jack Cork are the only injury absentees for Burnley.

Key stats:

- Before the draw against Sheffield United, Aston Villa had won 15 consecutive home matches in the Premier League

- Ollie Watkins has 17 goal involvements this season, scoring nine and assisting eight

- Burnley have won just two of their last 10 meetings with Villa, drawing four and losing four

- Burnley have conceded 38 goals this season, an average of two goals per game

 

Suggested bets:

Aston Villa Asian handicap (-1.5)

Ollie Watkins to score in 90 mins

Over 3.5 match goals