BBC Sport pundit predicts Aston Villa v Burnley in Premier League clash at Villa Park
We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…
Alan Hutton has predicted Aston Villa will return to winning ways when they take on Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday (30 December).
Unai Emery’s side enter the match at Villa Park sitting third in the table, despite Tuesday’s (26 December) 3-2 loss against Manchester United.
Villa let a two-goal half-time lead slip in that match at Old Trafford, which followed on from a 1-1 draw at home to Sheffield United.
Prior to that run, the Villans won three games on the spin to make themselves shock outside contenders for the Premier League title.
Burnley are unbeaten in two games on their travels, meanwhile, but they lost 2-0 to Liverpool last time out and are 19th in the table.
Previewing the game for Villa News, Hutton said: “I like what Vincent Kompany has done at Burnley.
“He tries to play football, but coming to Villa Park, that will be difficult with it being a big pitch.
“Villa will be eager to bounce back and they will take positives from the first half against Manchester United.
“But I do think Villa will be a little bit too strong in this game.”
Villa follow up the visit of Burnley with a trip to Middlesbrough in the FA Cup third round on 6 January.
Emery’s men then take on Everton and Manchester United in their only two Premier League games in January.
In other Aston Villa news, Hutton says he is “disappointed” following an announcement made by the Villans on Friday (29 December).