EPL: Relegated Burnley spoil Villa party, dent Champions League qualification hopes

Aston Villa’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League have suffered a setback after they were held to a draw by already relegated Burnley at Villa Park on Sunday.

Even though Aston Villa have reached the Europa League final, they are currently fifth in the Premier League. They are now under pressure from Bournemouth and Brighton with only two matches left in the season.

Burnley took the lead when Jaidon Anthony scored from a rebound after Emiliano Martínez saved a long-range shot from Lesley Ugochukwu.

Aston Villa thought they had equalised earlier through Ollie Watkins, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Later, Ross Barkley made it 1–1 with a header from a John McGinn corner.

Villa pushed for a winning goal and briefly believed they had it when Watkins scored after a long pass from Martínez. However, Burnley responded quickly with a good team move finished by Zian Flemming, giving them a draw and their first point in almost two months.

In the final minutes, Villa appealed for a penalty after Kyle Walker appeared to step on Emiliano Buendía’s foot, but VAR did not award it.

The result leaves Aston Villa in a difficult position in the Premier League race for Champions League qualification, while Burnley, already relegated, managed to earn a surprising point away from home.