Player ratings, fan reaction & more: Burnley clinch a point at Aston Villa to plunge Leeds back into drop zone

Result

A key outing amid the battle for Premier League survival on Thursday ultimately culminated in Burnley doing enough to depart Villa Park with

Mike Jackson’s visitors opened the scoring in the clash late in the first-half, when Ashley Barnes stepped up to slot home from 12 yards in confident fashion:

HOW IMPORTANT COULD THAT GOAL BE!?! 😮

Ashley Barnes makes no mistake from the spot to give Burnley the lead! ⚽ pic.twitter.com/bfPdYSP1Vv

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 19, 2022

Villa, though, on the back of more than one fine Nick Pope save, levelled things up early in the 2nd-half, when John McGinn’s fine delivery was volleyed home by the arriving Emi Buendia:

Less than three minutes into the second-half and Emi Buendía fires Aston Villa level! 💥 pic.twitter.com/1N60V9oLBC

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 19, 2022

And this, in turn, was how things remained through the full-time whistle, ensuring that Burnley have climbed out of the relegation zone ahead of this coming weekend’s final round of fixtures.

Player Ratings

Emi Martinez – 6

Produced more than one fine reflex save, but looked less than comfortable under the high ball. Had little chance in keeping out Barnes’ fine spot-kick.

Matty Cash – 5

Showcased plenty of intent in steaming up and down the hosts’ right flank, only for his final ball to leave a lot to be desired time and time again. One important block prevented what could well have proven a first-half Burnley goal.

Calum Chambers – 6

A strong showing at the heart of Villa’s defence, Chambers barely put a foot wrong all night.

Tyrone Mings – 6

Given a tough time by Barnes and Cornet, but stood up to the task for the most part. One crucial late block denied what would have been a certain Weghorst winner for Burnley.

Lucas Digne – 5.5

Lively and full of intent during the early exchanges, but saw his influence wane as proceedings wore on. Solid defensively, though.

Douglas Luiz – 6.5

A fine display on both sides of the ball on the part of Aston Villa’s midfield enforcer.

John McGinn – 7.5

Would undoubtedly have bagged his first Premier League goal since late last year if not for the brilliance of Pope. The best player on the pitch, and chipped in with the assist for Buendia’s strike.

Jacob Ramsey – 6

Characteristically lively from the off, albeit before tapering off somewhat as the evening progressed. Still, another good showing from the hosts’ Player of the Year.

Carney Chukwuemeka – 5.5

Didn’t look at all out of place considering it was just the 18-year-old’s second Premier League start. Did see the game pass him by at times, but as much is to be expected at such a young age.

Emi Buendia – 6

Started the clash in altogether positive fashion, before his needless foul on Cornet allowed Burnley to open the scoring. More than made up for it courtesy of a superbly-finished volley, though.

Ollie Watkins – 5.5

Completely starved of service throughout much of the clash, but nevertheless managed to make his presence known by means of constant pressing and a couple of half-sighters at goal.

Substitutes

Bertrand Traore – 5.5

Had the desired effect in piling the pressure on Pope’s goal, but saw his final ball consistently come up short.

Philippe Coutinho – 6

Added some needed creativity to what was fast becoming a flat Aston Villa midfield.

Danny Ings – 5

Came within a whisker of finding the net with his first touch after being introduced.

Burnley

Nick Pope – 6.5

Though he will perhaps be disappointed not to have kept out Buendia’s equaliser, Pope produced a number of world-class stops, particularly late on from a Traore header, to ensure that Burnley departed Villa Park with a potentially crucial point.

Connor Roberts – 5.5

Did his part in ensuring that Digne was not allowed free rein down the hosts’ left.

Nathan Collins – 6

Continues to act as a key piece at the heart of Burnley’s backline, Collins impressed once more at Villa Park.

James Tarkowski – 6

A quiet evening for the soon-to-be free agent, albeit one which saw him do a fine job of leading and organising matters from deep.

Kevin Long – 5.5

The most troubled of Burnley’s 3-man central defensive unit, but played an important role in ensuring that the always-lively Watkins was never afforded a real sniff at goal.

Charlie Taylor – 6.5

Stood up well in his battle with Matty Cash, amid an altogether solid defensive display.

Josh Brownhill – 5.5

Like Cork alongside him, certainly played his part in the Clarets returning to Lancashire with a share of the spoils. Stung Martinez’s palms with a fine late drive from outside the area, too.

Jack Cork – 5.5

Solid if unspectacular in keeping things ticking over in the middle of the park.

Dwight McNeil – 5

A disappointing evening for Burnley’s talented winger, who just couldn’t seem to get himself into the game.

Maxwel Cornet – 6

Didn’t see a whole lot of the ball, but to his credit, used it well when he did. Also responsible for his side’s chance to break the deadlock from 12 yards courtesy of some clever footwork.

Ashley Barnes – 6

Very lucky not to be dismissed for a nasty elbow directed into the face of Tyrone Mings, but dispatched his penalty with aplomb. Typically combative

Substitutes

Wout Weghorst – 4.5

Could have proven the hero courtesy of a glorious late chance, but saw his ensuing effort wonderfully blocked by Tyrone Mings.

Aaron Lennon – N/A

Matt Lowton – 1

Lasted just five minutes before being given his marching orders for what was deemed a reckless challenge on Calum Chambers.

What the experts said

How has Barnes not been sent off for the elbow? Does it matter whether he is looking at the opponent?

— Adam Crafton (@AdamCrafton_) May 19, 2022

FT 1-1. @BurnleyOfficial off the bottom. Beat Newcastle at Turf Moor on Sunday and they are safe.

— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) May 19, 2022

Aston Villa 1-1 Burnley FT:

⚽ Barnes (pen)
⚽ Buendia 🅰️ McGinn

Burnley go into the final day level on points with Leeds but with a +20 better goal difference. pic.twitter.com/Ko4Y98VYOc

— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) May 19, 2022

What the fans said

Stupid from Buendia.

All we deserve.

So slow, ponderous and dull. #avfc

— Villa Views (@VillaViews_) May 19, 2022

We really need some upgrades cuz we need to be winning games vs bottom teams. I also hope Chuk signs a deal and goes a loan to championship. Traore was prob just on the pitch to not make his value go 0. Last game, lets end with a W and bring some good players in the summer

— Comboed (@ComboedOfficial) May 19, 2022

I give McGinn and Mings a lot of shit on this bird app but they were both very good today. Shame we just couldn’t finish our chances. These are the sorts of games we have to win next season if we want to be any good though

— Harry (@Harry_VTID) May 19, 2022

The league don’t want us here, and we’re still fucking here. My club.

— Nathan (@n19drk) May 19, 2022

Huge pont! I can’t believe that’s a sending off either! If that’s a member of the top four there’s no way they’ll send them off.

— Mike (@JollySpaulding) May 19, 2022

Don’t know how we got a point, was literally playing 11 Villa players, The ref, Var, Sepp Blatter, Fifa and Premier league all at once.

— Dylan Smith (@DylxnSmith20) May 19, 2022

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EVERTON ARE STAYING IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE 👏 pic.twitter.com/8M2g3TWVqA

— 433 (@433) May 19, 2022

The Premier League table as it stands

Last updated: 1 min ago