Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Sun 10 May 2026 8:10, UK

Aston Villa are closing in on a return to the Champions League, but they must rediscover their league form against Burnley.

Unai Emery’s side cruised to a 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Thursday to book their place in the Europa League final against Freiburg.

It followed a frustrating spell for Villa, who suffered successive league defeats to Fulham and Tottenham.

The challenge now is to carry that momentum into Sunday’s trip to Burnley.

A top-five finish is within reach, but Villa will need to overcome their recent troubles on the road.

Aston Villa are struggling on their travels

For a side sitting fourth in the Premier League, the Midlanders have quite the bizarre away record.

Emery’s side are winless in five on the road, while performances have been slow and ponderous, even since the returns of John McGinn and Youri Tielemans.

Alongside this, the Villans have won just one of their last eight on the road in the league, when they overcame Newcastle back in January.

With just one away win in 2026, Emery simply has to fix this strange issue, particularly as the B6 outfit look to progress further in the coming years.

Aston Villa progression will hinge on away development

If Villa are to keep progressing, they must improve away from home.

Chance creation has been a major issue this season. McGinn’s five against Fulham is still the most by any Villa player, with the next-best tally just three.

Against Wolves, Fulham and even Nottingham Forest in the Europa League, Emery’s side were predictable and ponderous, too easily played out of the game by well-drilled marking.

Those results help explain why Champions League qualification was not wrapped up sooner and why Villa are not yet ready to challenge at the very top.

They must address that at Burnley, but if Villa are to become one of the league’s leading sides, they will need far more convincing displays on the road.