Our live stream ahead of Thursday nights Premier League match, Aston Villa vs Burnley is now up and running, kicking off at 18.00 GMT
You can keep an eye on the commentary as it happens below, but first, we take a preview into the fixture, lineups, predictions and much more…
Aston Villa come into the game off the back of beating rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers in a dramatic 1-0 away at the Molinuex.
Anwar El Ghazi got a late winner for the Villains as their Douglas Luiz and Wolves’ Joao Moutinho both got sent off in a game where Mike Dean showed 11 yellow cards.
Villa had gone into that game have had back to back defeats in the Premier League, the win moving them up to 10th with two games on most teams around them.
A day after Villa registered a dramatic 1-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Burnley prevailed by the same scoreline against Arsenal.
While Burnley still find themselves down in 17th position, a return of eight points from five matches has lifted the mood at a club which had seemed to have outstayed their welcome in the top flight.
A lack of signings coincided with a number of poor performances on the pitch, but Sean Dyche has worked wonders to get the Clarets outside of the relegation zone.
Villa and Burnely last met on new years day, with Aston Villa picking up the three points away at Turf Moor…
PRESS CONFERENCE:
Dean Smith
On Gérard Houllier
There are certainly a lot of heartbroken people at Aston Villa who spoke very highly of Gérard when he was working here. He’ll be sadly missed. We send our condolences to his family.
On Anwar El Ghazi
He’s found it difficult to break in. He’s a top player and a major reason why we’re in this league. The goal will have done him the world of good. Over the last two weeks, I’ve seen a marked difference in his desire to get back in the team.
On Jacob Ramsey
The rest of the lads helped him to settle straight away. It’s always needed from players who’ve played a lot of games. I’m pleased that the lads looked after him. He doesn’t need too much looking after though as he can handle himself.
On playing at Villa Park
We’ve lost the fact that we’re home and away with the loss of the fans. I don’t think anybody has an advantage at the moment. It’s pretty much like playing at a neutral venue. We want our supporters back as soon as possible.
On Burnley
They’ve not had the start that Sean would have wanted, but they’ve performed well over the last 4 or 5 games. They’re difficult to play against.
Sean Dyche
On Burnleys upturn in form
I think what it does is remind ourselves of the good work we can do.
It also reminds us of the effort that you have got to put in.
The increase in demand has been good from the last five or six performances, there was a big clip against Man City but they are a top-class outfit and do punish you.
Either side of that I was quite pleased with the performances and I think we are getting back to a unit that can get the right side of the margins which we have had to do before and we will have to do again this season.
I think we are moving forward again and it doesn’t guarantee results but it gives you a whole better chance if those performance levels are increasing the way they are, tactically, physically and mentally and that has been important for us.
I have been mentioning lately that we are beginning to get back to what we can be about.
We are finding some performances.
On injuries
Corky continued his recovery yesterday and got 45 minutes.
Dale Stephens got 70 minutes and Bardo played to top up.
Johann we are still trying to get him to his maximum.
We still have them to come back into the thinking.
On Brady
He looks like he is playing freely and has had a real tough run of injuries.
We are hoping that he can keep performing and get that run.
On Pope
I think goalkeepers and centre-halves, I think the more depth you get to your knowledge of the game is important.
I think he is getting more experience in what he can do, what he delivers and his starting positions are getting better.
And he is stopping the ball going into the net which is the obvious one and a very important factor in any team.
On takeover
Regarding the takeover I hear the talk like you. I haven’t had any dialogue with the chairman or the board for that matter and I just keep trying to do what I do.
On Aston Villa
I don’t think they are a surprise. I think they changed the shape and found a tighter way of playing. They have invested vast amounts of money in the last couple of seasons.
I wouldn’t say they are a surprise, they have a good manager and a good team. It is a challenge to get off like they did and win games early season.
On Clean Sheets
They have been a big part of our success down the years. It is to most sides as well.
We are creating a better quality of chances and our forwards are very close to finding the breakthroughs.
On January transfer window – know where you stand?
Whether I do or I don’t, I often don’t. That is not new news. I have never had a budget here so you don’t really know where you stand until the moment of truth when you try and sign a player.
On Ollie Watkins
I think what it is a sign of is that whether you think the market is worth it or not is irrelevant. It is just whether you want to pay it.
For a player who has done very, very well outside the Premier League to move for that amount of money is a big fee.
Villa obviously decided they were going to pay it so it is simple. It is not actually rocket science, it is just you need a chairman and a board who will spend that money. If you haven’t got that then it doesn’t get spent so it is simple.
Most clubs know the runners and riders, know the players who are going well, have done consistently well over time, the possibles, it is putting the money up to get those players and that is something I have mentioned many times about this club beginning to stretch itself and learn that the market doesn’t care whether we want to spend or not, it is saying ‘you’ve got to.’ So it is a simple equation.
On squad depth heading into January transfer window
We can only hope that it is improbable that the injuries carry on and that would be a good start.
I have always said that when everyone is fit, regardless of not signing loads of players, we still believe in the squad and how it can compete.
I think the reality of a season’s work, we got promoted the first full season I was here and we had 17 recognised first time players and only two centre forwards until January so it can be done.
Is it helpful to have a deeper squad? Yes it is, the demands are higher than six or seven years ago. The physical demands are higher.
We have been unfortunate with the amount of injuries and I would hope and suggest that statistically that is unlikely to continue all season but you never know and we have to be ready for that if it does.
So is it helpful if we can get some players in? Yes.
Is it vital? Not always. I believe in these players, individually and collectively and I think that is a powerful thing going into the second half of the season regardless of whether we get players in or not.
FORM:
Aston Villa Premier League form: LLWLLW
Burnley Premier League form: LDWLDW
LINEUPS:
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Elmohamady, Konsa, Mings, Targett; McGinn, Hourihane, Ramsey; El Ghazi, Watkins, Grealish
Burnley possible starting lineup:
Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Brady, Westwood, Brownhill, McNeil; Rodriguez, Wood
THATSAGOAL TIP:
Under 2.5 Goals – Evens with FanTeam
Tipping a low-scoring Burnley scoreline is almost second nature. Unless the Clarets are up against one of the Premier League’s elite, there’s rarely much to see in terms of goals. Four goals in the four games either side of their Manchester City thumping is a testament to that.
Aston Villa have one of the strongest defensive records in the league but will be up against a Sean Dyche side who have lost just once in their last five. Burnley are on the rise and can grind out a result here.
Time to take a look at our Aston Villa vs Burnley live match stream as it happens…
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