Aston Villa’s penultimate game of the season and final home match of 2021/22 comes in the shape of Mike Jackson’s Burnley on Thursday evening.
For Villa, it’s nothing more than a ‘dead rubber,’ if you will. They can’t get into Europe, they are well clear of the Premier League’s bottom three and with a top half finish now looking beyond reach - it’s merely pride that Steven Gerrard’s men are playing for.
Burnley on the other hand go into this one knowing that they quite simply cannot lose.
They head into the match occupying the last relegation spot just behind Leeds United. A point would see them go above the Whites on goal difference whilst a win would allow them to take a huge stride in retaining their Premier League status.
The stakes may not be as high for the claret and blue but that won’t take away from Gerrard’s will to win and the desire to sign off from another season at Villa Park with three points.
With all that in mind, here’s the eleven we think Gerrard may go with on Thursday evening.
Burnley on the other hand go into this one knowing that they quite simply cannot lose.
5. LB - Lucas Digne
Digne was my man-of-the-match versus Crystal Palace and can build on that performance on Thursday.
6. CM - Jacob Ramsey
Unlikely that Marvelous Nakamba plays two games in less than a week following his long-term injury so that will see Ramsey come back into the XI.
7. CM - Douglas Luiz
The unfortunate thing for Luiz with Nakamba’s absence is that he has to play deeper and he never seems that comfortable there.
8. CM - John McGinn
Good against Palace on Sunday - would be nice for him to sign off the season at Villa Park with a goal on Thursday.