BIRMINGHAM, England : Burnley moved out of the relegation zone following a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa on Thursday, holding their Premier League survival in their very own palms heading into the ultimate day of the season.
A cool penalty by Burnley striker Ashley Barnes and a number of other very good saves by keeper Nick Pope earned Mike Jackson’s facet a vital level of their battle to outlive as they climbed to seventeenth within the desk on 35 factors.
A house win over Newcastle United on Sunday would guarantee Burnley keep away from the drop regardless of what 18th-placed Leeds United do at Brentford. The two sides are degree on factors however Burnley have a vastly superior purpose distinction.
“It’s not mission accomplished. The least we wanted was a point. We’re a little disappointed not to get the three,” Burnley interim supervisor Mike Jackson advised the BBC.
“Everything I’ve seen tonight is what this group does. They’ve had to dig in, they’ve had to work. We’ll need it again on Sunday.”
Midfielder John McGinn almost opened the scoring for Villa within the seventeenth minute with a curling shot from the sting of the field, however Pope clawed the ball away.
Barnes put Burnley forward simply earlier than halftime, sending Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez the mistaken method with a low penalty into the nook after Burnley had been awarded a spot-kick for a foul on Maxwel Cornet by Emiliano Buendia.
The guests, nevertheless, didn’t lead for lengthy as Buendia made up for conceding the penalty when he equalised within the forty eighth minute with a superb first-time shot from contained in the field.
Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill’s advantageous strike from lengthy vary was brilliantly saved by Martinez who additionally stopped a close-range effort from Connor Roberts 5 minutes from time.
Villa dominated the closing phases and in stoppage time Pope did properly to dam an effort by ahead Danny Ings, who had scored on every of his 4 earlier Premier League appearances in opposition to Burnley.
“Nick Pope is getting better and better,” Jackson mentioned of his keeper who produced eight saves, the joint-most he has made in a single Premier League recreation.
“He’s playing out of his skin. He’s been unbelievable for us.”
Villa, who’ve gained solely two of their final 10 Premier League video games, remained 14th within the desk.
“Honours are even because of Nick Pope. He was outstanding. He’s helped his team get a point,” Villa supervisor Steven Gerrard mentioned.
“Moving ahead, this membership can’t end 14th once more. We want to alter issues and are available again higher and stronger subsequent season.
“Their keeper is probably man of match for them but we need to be better. We need to have more quality and answers.”
Source : channelnewsasia.com
