Aston Villa are heading to Turf Moor this Sunday with one clear mission: secure their Champions League spot by taking down an already relegated Burnley side. After a thrilling 4-0 demolition of Nottingham Forest in the Europa League semifinal on Thursday, Unai Emery's squad is riding high—but they can't afford to take their foot off the gas just yet.
With just three matches left in the Premier League season, Villa sit three points clear of Bournemouth in the race for a top-five finish. A win against Burnley would officially lock in that coveted Champions League berth, allowing the team to enjoy their final fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester City without the pressure. However, there's a catch: Villa are winless in their last five away league matches, and that's a stat Emery will be desperate to change.
History is on Villa's side, though. They've won their last three Premier League meetings with Burnley and have lost only one of their nine matches against sides already relegated. That lone defeat? You guessed it—against Burnley back in 2015. Emery will be drilling his squad to stay focused and avoid any late-season jitters.
After the midweek European heroics, Emery might rotate his squad. Key players like John McGinn and Ollie Watkins could get a well-earned rest, opening the door for Jadon Sancho and Tammy Abraham to step into the starting XI. The visitors are still without long-term absentees Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana, while Alysson is also unavailable. It's a balancing act for Emery—keeping players fresh while seizing this golden opportunity.
One player to watch is Emiliano Buendía, who has been a super-sub this season with four goals and one assist off the bench. He's closing in on Marlon Harewood's club record for substitute contributions and could make history if he makes an impact again. Meanwhile, Morgan Rogers and Ross Barkley will be tasked with unlocking Burnley's defense.
Here's the predicted Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Cash, Lindelof, Mings, Maatsen; Bogarde, Tielemans; Sancho, Barkley, Rogers; Abraham.
The action kicks off at 14:00 BST on Sunday, 10 May 2026, live on Sky Sports+. For fans following from home, the Sky Sports app has you covered. It's a huge day for Villa—can they seal the deal and celebrate a return to Europe's elite?