Credit: Imago

James Barker

Sun 10 May 2026 15:57, UK

Burnley held Aston Villa to a 2-2 draw at Turf Moor on Sunday, as Unai Emery‘s side appeared to be suffering from a Europa League hangover.

Emery made three changes to his Aston Villa team that swept past Nottingham Forest to reach the Europa League final on Thursday night.

Ian Maatsen, Tyrone Mings and Ross Barkley all came into the starting lineup, with Lucas Digne, Pau Torres and Emi Buendia respectively dropping to the bench.

Victor Lindelof did enough to keep his place in midfield in place of the injured Amadou Onana, whilst Ollie Watkins was fit to start after cutting his head against Forest.

Aston Villa could only draw with Burnley, however, as they now see their Premier League winless run stretch to three games.

Emi Martinez delivers mixed bag vs Burnley

Emi Martinez has been a brilliant player for Aston Villa, and is undoubtedly one of the finest goalkeepers to turn out at Villa Park in the Club’s modern era.

The Argentine international has enjoyed another impressive campaign in 2025-26, providing the Villans with one of the safest pair of hands in the Premier League.

As such, it always comes as a surprise when the 33-year-old doesn’t perform to his best, and that was certainly the case at Turf Moor on Sunday.

He made a big error for Burnley’s opening goal of the game, as a relatively tame shot from Lesley Ugochukwu from outside the box looked to be a routine save for Martinez.

However, the Villa keeper could only parry the ball straight back into the path of Jaidon Anthony, who was only too happy to oblige the golden opportunity presented to him by slamming an effort into the net.

He also made a similar error in the second half when parrying a Zeki Amdouni shot from outside the box straight back out in front of him, but Villa were able to clear this one.

But, Martinez would go some way to make up for his mistake in the second 45, when he carried the ball outside of his box before launching a ball over the Burnley backline, placing it onto the chest of Watkins to perfection.

The Villa hitman brought the ball down before expertly rolling it past Max Weiss in the Clarets goal for 2-1, before Zian Flemming equalised for Burnley on 59 minutes, but Martinez couldn’t do anything to prevent his strike from hitting the net.

As per FotMob, Martinez made four saves, prevented -0.16 goals, registered a passing accuracy of 86 per cent, made nine recoveries, completed one high claim and registered a long ball accuracy of 55 per cent.

Barkley offers Emery fresh headache vs Burnley

Just when it looked as though Barkley may have sealed his Aston Villa fate with a dismal display against Tottenham last time out, the 32-year-old attacking midfielder came roaring back at Turf Moor.

Villa’s number six kept his place in Emery’s side despite a hugely disappointing 85 minutes against Spurs, in which he was booked and offered precious little in the way of attacking input at Villa Park that night.

However, Barkley was superb against Burnley, seldom giving the ball away and being heavily involved in Villa’s attacking play, as well as grabbing a goal.

Indeed, after going close previously, it was Barkley who latched onto an expertly placed corner from John McGinn on the near post, which he diverted into the far corner with a lovely glancing header.

Per FotMob, Barkley registered an 88 per cent passing accuracy, created one chance, took four shots on goal, completed two successful dribble attempts and took five touches in the Burnley box.

He also made five recoveries, won four ground duels and one foul, whilst also playing three passes into the final third with 44 touches of the ball.

Barkley was eventually replaced on 80 minutes for Douglas Luiz, having put in a performance that will no doubt give Emery plenty of food for thought over his role moving forward.

Aston Villa player ratings vs Burnley

Emi Martinez – 5

Matty Cash – 5

Ezri Konsa – 6

Tyrone Mings – 5

Ian Maatsen – 6

Victor Lindelof – 5

Youri Tielemans – 6

John McGinn – 7

Ross Barkley – 8

Morgan Rogers – 5

Ollie Watkins – 8

Subs

Emi Buendia (for Lindelof, ’74) – 5

Lucas Digne (for Maatsen, ’74) – 6

Lamare Bogarde (for Cash, ’80) – N/A

Douglas Luiz (for Barkley, ’80) – N/A

Leon Bailey (for McGinn, ’85) – N/A