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Burnley have scored just six goals in their 12 Premier League games this season, but came out of the relegation zone thanks to their refusal to concede a goal at Villa Park.
A combination of a special save from Nick Pope, several of the types of blocks that have become routine for Burnley’s defenders, and an unusually scruffy finish from Aston Villa ensured this eventful competition ended in a stalemate.
Emiliano Martinez’s howl of frustration at the final whistle showed that Villa was deeply frustrated about drawing for the first time this season. He was not the only one. “We had enough chances to win two games,” Dean Smith said. “But although it was a disappointing result, it was an enjoyable performance. The only thing missing was the finish. “
No player could be criticized, as virtually all Villa players missed at least one chance to score, some, of course, easier than others. At least that reflects a positive aspect of Villa’s display, the fact that they remained a consistent and mostly dominant team despite having to make wholesale changes to their starting lineup for the first time this season due to suspensions. of Douglas Luiz and Matty Cash and the disease. for Ezri Konsa, along with Ross Barkley’s injury. “Our team was tested today and passed with flying colors, so that’s a positive I can take,” Smith said.
Burnley, emboldened by an even greater challenge after last weekend’s victory at Arsenal, made it difficult for the hosts to adjust. Sean Dyche’s team was the first to threaten a goal, with Jay Rodriguez cutting off a clever pass back to Ashley Westwood, whose shot from the edge of the area just barely missed. Villa, committed to attack, was quick to find his rhythm, and Charlie Taylor had to make a critical intervention in the 21st minute when he sneaked in to block a six-meter shot from Bertrand Traoré, who should have fired earlier.
Burnley was rescued by his other winger in the half hour when Matt Lowton showed cunning instincts to position himself at the finish line in time to deflect a deflected shot from Ahmed Elmohamady.
Villa mounted something akin to an attack after that and hit the goal frame twice before the break. Anwar El Ghazi’s free kick from 20 yards was actually headed for the net until Pope tipped it over the crossbar. Just before half-time, Elmohamady took a corner from Traoré to Kortney Hause, whose header from six meters bounced off the post.
Although Villa deserved an advantage at halftime in the balance of the game, Burnley had alarmed them in a couple of counterattacks. The saves Martinez had to make from Robbie Brady and Chris Wood were elementary, but the goalkeeper would surely have been tested more rigorously by Dwight McNeil just before the break if Traoré had not attacked to make an excellent tackle to the midfielder, which he had made. slalom. between two defenders in a counterattack.
Despite all of Villa’s attack, his center forward Ollie Watkins missed the goal in the first half, spending most of his time as a skilled linkman or decoy. But as Villa’s control over the game grew stronger, Watkins began to find himself in front of goal more often. Pope remained unbeatable, however, pressing the forward’s header against his chest early in the second half. A minute later, Watkins was back on duty, setting El Ghazi up for a drive that flew inches off the post from the edge of the box.
El Ghazi, involved in most of Villa’s attacks, made a low effort on goal on the hour, but not with enough power to make Pope uncomfortable. The same could be said for Brady’s shot at the other end moments later, when Burnley made a rare second-half foray into Villa’s territory.
When Jack Grealish, more centrally deployed than usual but as enterprising as ever, slid down midfield in the 66th minute and slipped through a delicate invitation to El Ghazi to score, another weak shot was produced, much to the relief. by Pope. El Ghazi created an opportunity to make amends in the 75th minute, but fired a deflected shot from 20 meters after a splendid blast from midfield.
The element of surprise was nearly gone for Burnley when John McGinn caught them with a quick free kick in midfield, but James Tarkowski rushed to the visitors’ rescue again, diving in front of Traoré’s shot.
Villa attacked all the way but couldn’t find the perfect shot, Tyrone Mings swerved from eight yards before Grealish flew over the bar after another graceful run from deep.
