Aston Villa rounded off 2023 with a narrow 3-2 win over 10-man Burnley on Saturday afternoon, rising back into the Premier League top two and extending their unbeaten home record to 17 matches. It certainly wasn't pretty as the Clarets battled well to equalise twice but an 89th-minute Douglas Luiz penalty sealed the deal, earning a huge three points.
The hosts started slowly and the atmosphere at Villa Park was uncharacteristically flat but Leon Bailey raised it - for a few moments - as he opened the scoring in the 28th minute. The Jamaican received a Watkins pass and took one touch inside before deflecting a shot off Clarets defender Hannes Delcroix to make it 1-0.
Villa showed a lack of complacency in the immediate aftermath of their goal, however, as Burnley struck back immediately through Zeki Amdouni to make it 1-1. The forward was quickest to react at the far post after Dara O'Shea won the first header from a free-kick. Villa Park was silenced again very quickly after an explosion of noise.
Vincent Kompany's side briefly thought they had a 2-1 lead as Lyle Foster ran through on goal and finished cooly beyond Emiliano Martinez but the flag went up for offside. VAR took a second look to make sure and it was a lot closer than it looked in real time as merely inches separated the boots of Clement Lenglet and Foster.
Emery's side restored their lead just before half time as Moussa Diaby showed good composure to convert another low Watkins cross. Ezri Konsa's beautiful curled ball over the top to Watkins was crucial as it allowed the England international to wait before drilling it into the six-yard box. Diaby was there to tap it home and restore Villa's lead; the Frenchman's first goal in the Premier League since October 29.
Burnley went a man down in the 56th minute as Sander Berge was shown a second yellow by referee Stuart Attwell for a tug on Douglas Luiz. It was a silly lapse of concentration from the Norway international as he should've known better when on a card.
Villa responded with a flurry of attacking activity, with James Trafford called into action twice in quick succession to deny John McGinn and Diaby. Ramsey then missed a glorious chance as he skied a sitter from about five yards out; Konsa had his head in his hands as he did brilliantly to craft the opportunity.
Diaby simply had to score on two or three occasions as he kept making the same mistake – leaning back as he took on his shots. One miss was particularly poor as he was merely seven or eight yards out and tried too hard to place it, firing it over the bar.
Burnley made Emery's men rue their missed opportunities as Foster netted a deserved goal, getting in behind with ease after a clever flick-on from Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson. The forward was hardly challenged by Alex Moreno nor Carlos and he slotted the ball into the near corner beyond Martinez for 2-2.
It all seemed as if it was going to be a frustrating day at the office but substitute Jhon Duran had other ideas as he made a terrific impact, winning a penalty. It was Aaron Ramsey of all people – the man Villa sold to Burnley in the summer and the brother of Jacob – who gave it away as he tripped Duran in the box.
A lengthy VAR check prompted a nervy wait but Luiz stepped up to convert, just about. There was a huge gasp around Villa Park as the shot cannoned off the underside of the crossbar – twice – but the ball trickled across the line to make it 3-2. Here are our player ratings as Emery's men manage a last-gasp win at Villa Park.
1. Emiliano Martinez - 6
Called into action on far more occasions than he probably would’ve expected as Burnley gave it a good go. Made a few decent saves but was beaten too easily at his near post by Foster.
2. Ezri Konsa - 7
Played a brilliant through ball to Watkins in the lead-up to Diaby’s goal. That wasn’t his only fine attacking work, either, as he teed up Ramsey for an excellent chance. Caught out of position a couple of times but was covered well by Diaby. Booked for dissent after Stuart Atwell gave Burnley a goal-kick that shouldn’t have been.
3. Diego Carlos - 5
Assured with his passing out from the back but showed the odd lapse of concentration with his positioning. Made a mistake when Foster ran in behind, handling the ball and letting the striker take a shot too easily.
4. Clement Lenglet - 5 (off 62’)
Displayed an impressive range of passing throughout, including some pinpoint diagonal pings. His defending left a lot to be desired, though, especially when he was skinned by Foster in the first half – twice.