It took an 89th-minute Douglas Luiz penalty to see off 10-man Burnley as Aston Villa secured a vital three points that saw them go level on points with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
Aston Villa had led 2-1 at halftime thanks to goals from the outstanding Leon Bailey and Moussa Diaby, either side of Zeki Amdouni’s equaliser.
After Burnley midfielder Sander Berge was sent off at the start of the second half, Villa were expected to cruise to victory, but they spurned multiple chances to score and the visitors capitalised.
Lyle Foster took advantage of Villa’s high line by making a darting run in behind and slotting past a despairing Emiliano Martinez.
Burnley thought they’d earned themselves a heroic point after putting in their best performance of the season, however, Villa were awarded a late penalty for a foul on Jhon Duran.
Douglas Luiz kept his cool to convert it, seeing his penalty crash from the underside of the crossbar to the relief of Unai Emery and a large majority in Villa Park.
Here are four things we learned from a pulsating contest…
Leon Bailey oozes class
Bailey is having the season of his life and he was magnificent against Burnley.
The 24-year-old put his side ahead in the 28th minute thanks to an assist from Ollie Watkins while taking his tally to six goals and five assists for the campaign.
He was a constant threat all afternoon as Burnley full-back Charlie Taylor struggled to live with his pace and directness.
Boubacar Kamara was a huge miss
Following his sending off in injury time against Sheffield United, Boubacar Kamara has now served two matches of his three-game ban.
He was missed massively in the loss against Manchester United and against Burnley today.
The Frenchman acts as their midfield anchor, both guarding against the counter-attack and progressing play up the field.
In his absence, they missed his ability to retain possession as the Clarets exploited the space that was afforded them centrally.
Ollie Watkins is a chief creator
Ollie Watkins is one of the best strikers in the Premier League, but his ability to create chances for his team often goes under the radar.
The Englishman grabbed the assists for Villa’s first two goals, taking his tally for the season to 10, and he caused the visitors defensive setup issues by making in-to-out runs into either channel and behind their backline.
In both goals, he peeled off the Burnley defenders and dragged them into wide areas before picking his head up and cutting the ball back inside the box for Bailey and then Diaby to finish.
Defensive frailties beginning to show
Villa have conceded their second goal from a set-piece in as many games.
Man United’s winning goal to complete their comeback through Rasmus Hojlund was from a dead-ball situation.
In today’s match, meanwhile, the first goal that Villa conceded came from a basic diagonal cross as Dara O’Shea found himself free at the back post, heading across to Amdouni who volleyed the ball home.
Although the Villans are normally a well-oiled setup, they have appeared increasingly untidy in recent weeks, and perhaps that is partly down to Pau Torres not being in the side.
