Four wins in 10 days and the alarm bells have ceased at Aston Villa. Goals are flowing, Unai Emery’s team are clambering away from danger and the cloud of anxiety is dispersing even though it has not quite disappeared from Villa Park.
There was an uneasy subdued atmosphere around the place until Donyell Malen put them in control and a late scare when Lesley Ugochukwu pulled one back for Burnley. But Emery pumped his fist into the air, satisfied with his 80th win in 150 games at the helm.
The songs of celebration boomed out, bringing relief after starting the season winless in six with a shortage of goals. Where it goes from here is the key.
‘Keep going, there is still work to do,’ said the Villa boss. ‘We are motivated to create something exciting. There are demands in front of us. Top 10, top eight, top seven, top five, top four. It is very difficult, but we must keep improving.’
Unai Emery celebrated as Aston Villa’s revival continued with a 2-1 victory over Burnley
Donyell at the Double
Malen has suffered on the periphery since his ÂŁ19million move from Borussia Dortmund in January. His arrival was eclipsed by loan signings Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio, and he did not make the Champions League squad last season. But here he seized his chance.
Recalled in place of Evann Guessand, the Netherlands international forward scored his first of a season to give Villa the lead in the first half. Boubacar Kamara unzipped Burnley’s defence with a pass from midfield and Malen stayed clear of Maxime Esteve before cutting a low finish across Martin Dubrakva.
His first sparked Villa into life and Malen continued to shine the brightest of their attacking forces. His second, a touch to receive a pass from Rogers and the thumping finish past Dubravka, brought the degree of comfort their second-half dominance deserved.
Overall, he bristled with energy and intent, found spaces and tormented Burnley in the channels between their three central defenders. His goals and an ovation from the Holte End were reward for his efforts.
Donyell Malen scored both of Aston Villa’s goals and earned an ovation from the Holte End
Malen has been on the periphery since joining in January but he seized his chance here
Misfiring Lions
While Malen’s return to goalscoring form was a welcome tonic for Emery, there is lingering concern about the current potency of Ollie Watkins and fluency of Morgan Rogers. Both retain the faith of England boss Thomas Tuchel, but World Cup places will be vulnerable if they cannot rediscover some of the former magic.
Watkins, with one goal to his name this season, fired his best chance of the game over on the spin just before half time and for all his industry up front, did not look like scoring despite long spells of Villa dominance.
Rogers, still without a goal this season, spluttered at times, failing to find his rhythm or quite a few of his passes until sliding in Malen for his second. If he is an unwitting victim of Villa’s stumbling start to the season perhaps this will restore confidence. Emery needs them both back in the groove.
Of Villa’s three England internationals called up for the games against Wales and Latvia, it was Ezri Konsa who delivered the strongest display until he was caught out defending a late corner, blocked off by Florentino Luis enabling substitute Ugochukwu to wriggle free and convert with a header from close range.
Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers will see England places at risk if their form does not improve
Burnley’s long haul
Although there’s plenty to like about Burnley, this is already shaping up like a long haul ahead. They are well organised, can slick passes around and flicker on the break.
They set up in 541 with Josh Laurent stepping out form central defence into midfield and releasing the wide players to support Lyle Foster. Florentino is a technical talent, easy on the eye in midfield, but they converted very little of what they did well into a genuine goal threat.
The only effort at goal in the first half came from Josh Cullen, a sweet connection on the half volley from just outside the penalty area. It forced an excellent low save from Emi Martinez after a long throw had been partially cleared.
Once ahead Villa’s back six were not unduly troubled and only Dubravka’s shot-stopping excellence prevented them running up a more luxurious lead before Ugochukwu headed in from a corner to inspire late hope.
Florentino Luis is a technical talent in a Burnley side in which there is plenty to likeÂ
Scott Parker’s side look destined for a long battle against relegation due to a lack of goal threat
Claret in the basement
Villa are up into the comfort of midtable thanks to their revival, but tougher tests await upon their return from the international break, with fixtures against Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool. That’s where we will find out to what extent Emery has fixed his problems.
Burnley still lurk in the bottom three with West Ham and Wolves. And Scott Parker bemoaned the fine margins of the Premier League and the second goal by Malen, scored when the visitors were momentarily out of shape having been down to 10 men with Florentino off for treatment.Â
‘We need to understand you can’t switch off,’ said Parker.
