Aston Villa’s hopes of securing Champions League football through the Premier League suffered another setback as already relegated Burnley battled back to claim a deserved draw at Villa Park.
Unai Emery’s side remain fifth in the table, but with only two matches left, Bournemouth and Brighton are still capable of overtaking them in the race for a top-five finish.
Villa produced a flat and inconsistent display and were punished early when Jaidon Anthony reacted quickest after Emiliano Martinez could only parry Lesley Ugochukwu’s long-range strike into danger.
The hosts recovered to lead through goals from Ross Barkley and Ollie Watkins, but Burnley refused to fold and Zian Flemming’s late finish earned the Clarets their first Premier League point in nearly two months.
Villa also saw late appeals for a penalty waved away after Kyle Walker appeared to stand on Emiliano Buendia’s foot inside the area, with VAR opting not to intervene.
Despite Burnley’s relegation already being confirmed, the visitors played with freedom and energy from the opening whistle.
Anthony gave them the perfect start in the eighth minute, pouncing after Martinez spilled Ugochukwu’s effort from distance.
Burnley threatened repeatedly during the first half and could easily have extended their lead, with Flemming going close after a dangerous delivery from Loum Tchaouna.
Villa thought they had equalised through Watkins, who headed into an empty net from Morgan Rogers’ cross, but VAR ruled the striker narrowly offside.
The breakthrough finally arrived when Barkley met John McGinn’s corner with a clever glancing header to level the score.
Watkins appeared to have rescued Villa when he brilliantly controlled Martinez’s long clearance on his shoulder, skipped past two defenders and calmly finished beyond Burnley goalkeeper Max Weiss.
But Villa once again failed to protect their advantage.
Matty Cash lost possession cheaply on the right flank and Burnley capitalised through a slick passing move involving Ugochukwu and Hannibal Mejbri before Flemming swept home his 10th league goal of the season.
Villa’s stunning Europa League run has masked some alarming domestic form.
Thursday’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest secured a Europa League final against Freiburg, but their league performances continue to raise concern.
Over their last nine Premier League matches, Villa have collected just eight points - relegation-level form that has put their Champions League place at serious risk.
Emery rotated only lightly from the European semi-final, but his side looked tired and lacked their usual sharpness.
Villa still control their destiny, but with difficult fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester City to come, they can no longer afford further slip-ups.
Burnley may already be heading back to the Championship, but this performance offered encouragement for the future.
Caretaker boss Mike Jackson watched his side fully match Villa throughout the contest, producing 15 shots and six efforts on target in one of their strongest displays in months.
Young goalkeeper Max Weiss impressed on his Premier League debut with several key saves, while Flemming and Anthony caused Villa consistent problems in attack.
Most importantly, Burnley showed resilience after surrendering the lead, responding strongly to secure a point that gave supporters something positive to celebrate after a difficult campaign.
