ASHLEY BARNES scored the penalty which helped Burnley elbow their way out of the bottom three – and Leeds were dispatched back into the relegation zone.
Despite smashing Tyrone Mings in the face early on, Barnes stayed on the pitch and gave his team the lead before Emi Buendia’s second half leveller.
A penalty from Ashley Barnes helped Burnley squeeze out of the drop zoneCredit: ReutersHis goal earned the Clarets a vital point at Aston VillaCredit: GettyEmiliano Buendia fired Aston Villa level moments after half timeCredit: GettyMike Jackson’s Burnley only have to match Leeds’ result on Saturday to stay upCredit: Getty
So, beat Newcastle at home this Sunday – or simply match Leeds’ result – and caretaker boss Mike Jackson will have completed a remarkable rescue mission.
Because of the way Burnley gave everything and fought so hard – a little bit too much at times – you would expect them to get the result they need against Eddie Howe’s team.
But they will be without Matt Lowton as the substitute was given a red card in injury time for a tackle on Calum Chambers.
Not surprisingly, it was certainly not pretty here at Villa Park.
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And for just a few minutes, Burnley were not only out of the bottom three but were above both Leeds and Everton.
Yet they surrendered their lead and Everton completed a brilliant recovery against Crystal Palace to scramble to safety.
While it is now a straight shoot-out between Burnley and Leeds, the Lancashire side would probably have settled for this situation before the start.
There was a school of thought Steven Gerrard would prioritise Sunday’s game against Manchester City in a bid to help former club Liverpool but he put out a strong team.
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Villa were in control and only two outstanding saves from Nick Pope stopped John McGinn from scoring a couple of first half goals.
Dwight’s McNeil’s goal-bound shot was blocked by Matty Cash yet Burnley offered little until a rare attack just before the break.
Maxwel Cornet fell to the ground after Buendia stuck out a leg and Barnes sent Emi Martinez the wrong way.
Yet Barnes was extremely lucky because at the start of the game, he had left Mings – no shrinking violet – on the heap after a powerful elbow to the face. Gerrard was clearly angry with the officials that VAR did not appear to be used to check on the challenge.
Buendia ended the half on a sour note by giving away the penalty so he was clearly on a mission to put that right.
He showed great technique by keeping an eye fixed on McGinn’s deep cross and he struck a volley past Pope, even though the England keeper came close to clawing the shot away.
VAR took a minute to decide that Burnley were not to be given a penalty for a handball against Lucas Digne
Sub Wout Weghorst should have struck a Burnley winner with five minutes left but was denied by a brilliant block by Mings. Not surprisingly, Mings received a standing ovation for such a stunning piece of defending.
Yet Burnley hero Pope was the hero, delivering a series of late saves including great stops to keep out Ollie Watkins and Buendia.
So, this was a decent night for Burnley – and a bad one for a certain team in Yorkshire.
