For sides coming into the Premier League (PL), keeping things tight at the back is of the utmost importance. Unfortunately for Burnley, though, they don’t appear to have received the memo.
Fewer than ten minutes were on the clock when Villa took the lead, with Ollie Watkins latching onto a hopeful ball forward before calmly squaring for Matty Cash to slide home at the far post and net his first goal of the season.
Villa didn’t take long to assert more authority on the game, either, and a sumptuous move from the visitors ended with Cash burying Moussa Diaby’s perfect cutback.
In truth, Burnley offered absolutely nothing in an attacking sense throughout the majority of the first half as they continue to adapt to the top flight, although they did nearly halve the arrears on the stroke of HT when Zeki Amdouni fired over.
Vincent Kompany had plenty to ponder at the interval, and he ultimately elected for a switch of formation and personnel, introducing Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson for Manuel Benson.
As the Belgian boss would have surely wished, the Iceland international had an instant impact, keeping Connor Roberts’ deep delivery alive and therefore allowing Lyle Foster the opportunity to slam home his first PL goal.
Hopes of a comeback were short-lived though as, despite a spell of sustained pressure from the hosts, Villa landed the next blow through Diaby, who swept home from the edge of the area.
Possessing a two-goal cushion, Emery had the luxury of bringing on summer signing Nicolò Zaniolo, who would have marked his PL debut with a goal but for a last-ditch Dara O’Shea block.
In the end, it was another difficult day at the office for Burnley, who remain without a point upon their return to the top flight, while Villa march look increasingly exciting as they try to balance the responsibilities of domestic and European football.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Matty Cash (Aston Villa)
