Credit: Imago

Max Wilkins

Sun 10 May 2026 12:48, UK

Unai Emery has named his Aston Villa starting XI to face Burnley on Sunday.

The Villans are ready to face Mike Jackson’s side just days after their historic 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the Europa League.

Before a trip to face Freiburg in the final, the claret and blue outfit have Champions League qualification to focus on.

Points are king in the Premier League right now, and three against the Clarets would go some way to making sure of a top-five finish this campaign.

Villa are now set to face already relegated Burnley, but Emery may still live to regret his starting selection in Lancashire.

Aston Villa name starting XI vs Burnley

There was so much to love about the Europa League showcase against Forest that claret and blue tails are surely up.

If the B6 outfit can perform as they did under the pressure of a European semi-final, then they surely can away to a side that has been relegated without a whimper.

Emery isn’t taking things lightly and has maintained some of his key stars in the starting XI, with Emi Martinez keeping his place after making two saves on Thursday.

Ahead of the Argentina international, Ezri Konsa and Matty Cash have kept their place after an excellent clean sheet in mid-week.

Ian Maatsen has come in for Lucas Digne, Victor Lindelof has kept his place alongside Youri Tielemans after the Belgian’s 89 per cent pass accuracy against Forest.

Morgan Rogers and John McGinn have also remained in the side, with the skipper netting the two goals to make all the difference in the Europa League.

Emi Buendia was another hero at Villa Park and grabbed a goal and an assist, but has dropped out, with Ross Barkley coming in.

Villa will be hopeful of victory against Burnley, but the decision surrounding the ex-Everton midfielder may not go down well on the terraces.

Unai Emery repeats Ross Barkley mistake

The Englishman wasn’t available in the Europa League after being left out of the squad at the start of the campaign.

That saw him watch on at Villa Park as Lindelof started in midfield and put in a stellar performance alongside Tielemans.

Barkley has now come back into the side, but that hasn’t worked recently, and you only have to look at the Tottenham performance to know that.

The 32-year-old managed just 35 touches in 85 minutes and failed to complete a single dribble or long ball throughout his time on the pitch.

He also lost all nine of his attempted ground duels, summing up his struggles in the middle of the park.

Starting him in this one could prove to be an error, especially with the Villans in desperate need of three points.