Burnley today, same system different approach and the usual match facts

The game looks like it is going ahead and I have to tell you, I'm a little surprised and it's why the post comes today instead of yesterday. I guess there is still time for it to be cancelled and it might happen but for now, that means I get the beer in and get ready for football.

And a win today could see us go up to seventh, so it's a big match. And it's against a side that are struggling. And because of where Burnley find themselves and because of what isn't working for them this season, I suspect we are going to see a slightly different approach today.

I think, I'm not sure, that this manager has a system but in that system, he tweaks it for the opponent. And by this, I think he'll know where their weaknesses are and he's going to send the team out to hit them hard in those and do his best to punish them.

It's just a hunch, but I suspect Gerrard uses data a lot more than Smith did. I have to rush, back in time for the match.

Video

Match facts from the BBC

Head-to-head

• Burnley could equal their longest unbeaten league run away to Aston Villa of four games, set between 1930 and 1947.
• Villa's solitary victory in the past six Premier League meetings was by 2-1 at Turf Moor in January 2020 (D3, L2).

Aston Villa

• Steven Gerrard's haul of 12 points from his first six Premier League games in charge has only been bettered once by an Aston Villa manager - John Gregory earned 15 points in 1998.
• However, only Southampton have lost more top-flight fixtures in 2021 than Villa's tally of 20.
• Aston Villa have scored in nine successive home league matches since a 0-0 draw with Everton in May.
• Seventeen of their 22 league goals this season have come after half-time.
• Danny Ings has scored in each of his last three Premier League appearances against former side Burnley, all for Southampton.

Burnley

• Burnley have only won one of their opening 15 top-flight fixtures for the first time since 1970, when they went on to be relegated.
• It's nine Premier League away games without a win for Sean Dyche's side since beating Fulham in May (D4, L5).
• However, they have lost just once in their past seven Premier League matches (W1, D5).
• The Clarets could go four successive top-flight fixtures without a goal for the first time in 13 months. It's 311 minutes since Maxwel Cornet scored in the draw with Crystal Palace.
• Burnley have dropped 14 points from winning positions this season, compared to five at the same stage in 2020-21.
• Chris Wood has scored four goals in his past five league starts against Aston Villa.