EPL: Villa Draw 2-2 with Burnley, Top-Five Push Stalls

Aston Villa Held to draw by relegated Burnley in top-five blow  

Aston Villa let a lead slip twice against Burnley, with missed chances from McGinn and others leaving their Champions League hopes hanging after a 2-2 draw...

Aston Villa were held by Burnley in a 2-2 draw, leaving their push for a top-five Premier League finish still in the balance...

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Aston Villa’s push for a top-five finish stalled after a 2-2 draw with already-relegated Burnley, denying them a result that would have nearly secured their place.

With nothing at stake for Burnley, the contrast in motivation showed early. Within five minutes, John McGinn slipped a pass through to Morgan Rogers between the hosts’ center backs, but Rogers dragged his shot wide of Max Weiss, who was making his Premier League debut for Burnley.

The miss proved costly shortly after, when Emiliano Martínez parried Lesley Ugochukwu’s side-footed effort straight to Jaidon Anthony. Anthony tapped in the rebound to give Burnley a surprise lead against the run of play.

Villa looked sluggish throughout the first half, and Burnley had chances to extend their lead midway through the opening 45 minutes.

Loum Tchaouna was driving most of Burnley’s attacking play, and his cross picked out Zian Flemming unmarked in the box. Flemming, however, swung and missed, sending the ball well wide.

Ollie Watkins thought he’d equalized for Unai Emery’s side when he headed in Rogers’ cross, but VAR ruled his boot was offside in the buildup and disallowed the goal.

Villa did level things moments later, with no controversy this time, as Ross Barkley headed home John McGinn’s inswinging corner.

Villa came out stronger in the second half, and their pressure paid off in unusual fashion. Emiliano Martinez made amends for his earlier mistake by launching a long ball forward that released Watkins in behind. The striker beat Max Weiss to it and poked Villa ahead.

🦁 @AVFCOfficial miss the chance to go fourth as they're held to a draw by @BurnleyOfficial pic.twitter.com/4RuoE2TwPk

— Premier League (@premierleague) May 10, 2026

Villa’s lead didn’t last. A lapse in concentration from Matty Cash saw him give the ball away in his own half, and Burnley made him pay. Hannibal Mejbri’s clever flick set up Zian Flemming, who finished into the corner.

It was only after the 70th minute that Unai Emery made an attacking substitution, and it was a regular starter who missed a golden opportunity. John McGinn found himself unmarked at the far post but headed wide with the goal open.

Both teams had chances to grab a late winner, but neither could find a third. The result will sting Villa more, knowing a win would have all but sealed their place in the top five.

The race for Europe is wide open with Liverpool and Aston Villa dropping points this weekend 😲

All the latest in the race for Europe 👇

— Premier League (@premierleague) May 10, 2026