Barnes gives Burnley edge in survival scrap
Point heaps pressure on relegation rivals Leeds
ASHLEY BARNES’ first goal for 15 months delivered the point that may keep Burnley in the Premier League, yet the striker was lucky to be on the pitch to score the crucial penalty.
Barnes’ spot kick just before half-time was cancelled out by Emi Buendia early in the second half, while Burnley had Nick Pope to thank for a string of quality saves that helped lift them above Leeds United on goal difference — although they had to hang on when substitute Matt Lowton was shown a red card in stoppage time.
That means Leeds will be relegated at Brentford on Sunday if they cannot better Burnley’s result against Newcastle. The Clarets were grateful to referee Paul Tierney and VAR for failing to punish Barnes for a clear elbow on Tyrone Mings in the fifth minute. If they had been forced to play with 10 men for 85 minutes, it is hard to see how Burnley would have avoided defeat.
Yet they now prepare to face Newcastle at Turf Moor on Sunday knowing a win will guarantee top-flight football for another season. It would be a remarkable achievement for interim boss Mike Jackson, as the club looked destined for the Championship when he replaced Sean Dyche last month.
Mike Jackson’s team were boosted by the return of James Tarkowski, who missed the 1-0 defeat by Tottenham through injury. Tarkowski is out of contract in the summer and is probably approaching the end of his career at Burnley, but he remains a crucial presence at the heart of defence.
Villa have a crucial role in both the relegation battle and the title fight. They knew a win here would leave Burnley needing something on the final day, while Steven Gerrard could deliver the title to old club Liverpool if they take points from Manchester City on Sunday.
Determined to finish their home campaign on a high note, Villa made a fast start and when Emi Buendia drove across goal following some uncertain defending, neither Ollie Watkins nor Carney Chukwuemeka could capitalise.
Buendia and Chukwuemeka came into the Villa starting XI, while Danny Ings and Philippe Coutinho dropped to the bench. Ezri Konsa’s serious knee injury meant a start for Calum Chambers.
Chambers’ central defensive partner Tyrone Mings appeared to take an elbow in the face from Ashley Barnes in the fifth minute yet neither referee Paul Tierney nor VAR John Brooks saw an offence — to the amazement of Villa boss Steven Gerrard.
Nick Pope then made a fine save to keep out John McGinn’s curling effort, while at the other end Matty Cash’s timely headed clearance sent Dwight McNeil’s fierce strike behind for a corner.
During a stoppage, Buendia and Gerrard held an animated conversation close to the touchline, and when the action resumed Cash fired over from an angle after a period of sterile Villa possession.
Having saved from McGinn earlier, Pope denied him with an even better stop just after the half-hour mark. McGinn reached Jacob Ramsey’s hopeful ball forward and caught it beautifully on the volley, only for Pope to turn it behind with a brilliant flying save.
Burnley had not tested Emiliano Martinez seriously until they won a penalty in the closing moments of the half. Buendia fell for Maxwel Cornet’s trick and tripped the forward, who had his back to goal. Barnes kept his nerve from the spot, sending Martinez the wrong way. The last time Barnes had found the target was in a 1-1 draw with Fulham on February 17, 2021.
Knowing his mistake had cost his team, Buendia responded in the best way possible. When McGinn collected the ball on the right, Buendia sprinted into the gap in the centre of the Burnley defence and was in the perfect spot to volley home from close range. Though Pope got a hand to it, he could not keep it out.
There was controversy with TV coverage highlighting an apparent foul throw from Cash earlier in the move that, once more, VAR had not seen fit to punish. Regardless, Burnley had defended with diligence during the opening period and would have been furious about losing concentration.
The visitors thought they might have had a second penalty when VAR checked a possible handball by Lucas Digne, before Pope made another impressive save, flicking Ollie Watkins’ volley over the top, before substitute Danny Ings shot narrowly wide with his first touch. Once more Pope came to the rescue with a sensational stop from Bertrand Traore’s header.
With time ticking away, Martinez saved brilliantly from Connor Roberts. Not to be outdone, Pope then thwarted Ings and then was perfectly positioned to parry Cash’s rising drive. It was an actionpacked ending and Lowton, who had come on only five minutes earlier, was shown a straight red for a lunge at Chambers. ASTON VILLA (4-3-2-1): Martinez 6.5; Cash 6.5, Chambers 6, Mings 6.5, Digne 6.5; Ramsey 6 (Coutinho 72min 5.5), Douglas Luiz 6, McGinn 6.5; Buendia 6, Chukwuemeka 5 (Traore 57, 6); Watkins 6 (Ings 78). Scorer: Buendia 48. Booked: None. Manager: Steven Gerrard 6. BURNLEY (5-3-2): POPE 8; Roberts 6.5, Long 6, Collins 7, Tarkowski 6.5, Taylor 6.5; Brownhill 6.5, Cork 6, McNeil 6 (Lennon 79); Cornet 6 (Lowton 85), Barnes 6.5 (Weghorst 71, 5,5). Scorer: Barnes 45 (pen). Booked: Long. Sent off: Lowton Manager: Mike Jackson 6. Referee: Paul Tierney 5. Attendance: Not provided.