Credit: Imago

Max Wilkins

Mon 11 May 2026 10:13, UK

Aston Villa could only manage a draw away to Burnley on Sunday.

The mission to qualify for the Champions League through the Premier League is still on, with just two games to go.

They could have so easily taken one step closer to confirming their place in Europe’s elite competition with three points at Turf Moor.

That didn’t happen as the claret and blue outfit played out a frustrating clash in Lancashire to continue their league struggles in 2026.

Villa weren’t truly good enough against Burnley as the Opta supercomputer alters its predictions for the end of the campaign.

Aston Villa’s Champions League place not confirmed yet

The Villans simply haven’t been good enough domestically recently, as frustrating results continue to rack up for the B6 outfit.

That only continued against the Clarets as an away day at an already relegated side should have been an easy task.

Things didn’t turn out that way, and Mike Jackson’s side were able to cause problems by taking the lead in the first half and then netting an excellent equaliser in the second.

That shouldn’t have been made possible by a side looking to qualify for the Champions League, but their chances aren’t totally dented.

The Opta supercomputer still suggests that Villa will finish fifth after 38 games with an 87.27 per cent chance of qualifying for the Champions League at this stage.

Bournemouth are the closest competition at this stage, but have been predicted to finish sixth with a 10.93 per cent chance of a top-five finish.

That will give the Villans some comfort after drawing to Burnley, although there still needs to be questions asked of Unai Emery.

Unai Emery has work to do after Burnley draw

The supercomputer may believe that the Villans will be in the Champions League by the end of the campaign, but they won’t if they carry on playing like they are.

With clashes coming up against Liverpool and Manchester City, it is unlikely that the B6 outfit will pick up a single point.

That is based on how poor the performance was against Burnley, where the Clarets racked up more expected goals with 1.79 compared to Villa’s 1.44.

Even with 66 per cent possession and 18 shots, Villa were unable to take their chances and secure a much-needed win against an already relegated side.

That leaves the door open for Bournemouth to potentially steal in and snatch a top-five place after going 16 Premier League games without defeat.

Emery has work to do and needs to make sure that an excellent season doesn’t become a frustrating one.