Burnley survival hopes dealt huge blow as Gerrard’s Aston Villa cruise to victory

Burnley moved further into the danger zone after they suffered a convincing 3-1 defeat at the hands of Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa.

Goals from Danny Ings, Emiliano Buendia and Ollie Watkins confirmed three points for the visitors in an open game with chances at both end. Burnley came into the game knowing three points would go a long way in their difficult final battle for survival. However, after seven minutes the hosts found themselves already a goal down thanks to a smart finish from former Burnley striker Danny Ings.

Buendia slipped the ball into Ings’ pathway, who made no mistake in slotting the ball past ‘keeper Nick Pope in composed fashion. The striker refused to celebrate against his old club, however, this meant little to the Burnley faithful given the circumstances.

After a disastorus start, the Clarets began to find their feet in the match. Weghorst had the best chance for his side after 30 minutes, however his header failed to test Emiliano Martinez between the sticks.

A minute later and things had turned from bad to worst for the relegation-threatened side. Buendia’s effort at goal took a cruel deflection in the middle of the box, pushing the ball out the reach of Pope and into the net.

Burnley continued to dig deep and attack, but were met with no reward as Villa continued to catch them on the counter and punish any mistakes.

The open pitch meant little to Burnley as they struggled to penetrate the Villa defence, as they faced a tough uphill battle in the second half

Just seven minutes after the break and an Ollie Watkins header looked to have buried the game.

John McGinn found it all too easy as he drove through the Burnley defence before finding Watkins, who directed the ball past Pope with a diving