A busy day in the league, and another important match for Villa. They’re all important of course, but, like Newcastle, we’re facing one of those games you sort of “have” to win to stay in the top half. That said, Sean Dyche’s Clarets have started to wake up and lay claim to the their generally mediocre destiny. Which isn’t to say they don’t punch over their weight. They make the most of what they’ve got, as the Liverpool result shows.
Off the heels of Villa’s dramatic, injury-time victory over a dogged Wolves side, it’s time for Burnley. Which is never really a game anyone wants to play. But, they’re in the league, so you have to.
Another two points slipped away on Saturday as Villa twice took the lead against visiting Burnley, but got pegged back to take just the one point in a 2-2 draw. And while it felt like a loss, there actually were enough good bits to leave me feeling alright a few days after.
We know the story up to now…mistakes, bad officiating, naïveté, adaptation. They all add up to just four points and a spot in the drop zone. So, to say today’s game is a big one would be an understatement. Villa need confidence. They need three points. They need to feel like maybe the tide can turn. Me, I think it can.
