View: Aston Villa can thank Newcastle for taking Chris Wood off Burnley’s hands before clash
Steven Gerrard can breathe a sigh of relief ahead of Aston Villa versus Burnley at Turf Moor this weekend.
That’s because the Clarets sold Chris Wood to Newcastle United in January and the New Zealand striker has a very strong record when playing against the Villans.
Wood, 30, scored three goals in four Premier League appearances for Burnley when playing against Villa.
In his last Burnley appearance against the Villans, he scored in what was a 3-2 win for Sean Dyche’s then-side at Turf Moor.
On that occasion, the Lancashire club came from 2-1 behind to win 3-2 with Wood’s header proving to be the winner against the Villa.
Thankfully, Gerrard won’t have that threat to deal with on Saturday [7 May] due to the fact the former West Brom and Leeds striker is now a Newcastle United player.
Villa News has already reviewed how strong in the air Burnley are and having a proven target man like Wood in their side would have only made them even stronger this weekend.
Wout Weghorst will no doubt he the man to keep an eye on for Villa’s defenders while we also know that Ashley Barnes can provide a threat when he comes off the bench.
Burnley also have adept crossers of the ball in Charlie Taylor, Aaron Lennon and Dwight McNeil.
It’ll be a tough afternoon for Tyrone Mings and his defensive colleagues but at least they’ll be safe in the comfort that Villa’s scourge Wood won’t be involved.
In other Aston Villa news, Villa target Matthias Ginter is set to join a different club.