Form and Line-up
Burnley have failed to achieve their objective and have dropped back to the Championship after just one season. By the time they face the Birmingham side, it will be almost three months since the Clarets last won in the Premier League. The last team they beat was a struggling Crystal Palace (3:2). Now they themselves have accumulated a run of five defeats with a total score of 3:13.
Key numbers:
Burnley failed to pick up points in four of their previous five matches at Turf Moor.
In four of their last five home matches the Clarets failed to score.
Burnley have conceded more than any other team in the Premier League (71 goals).
Probable Burnley line-up (4-3-3): Martin Dubravka — Quilindschy Hartman, Maxime Esteve, Hjalmar Ekdal, Kyle Walker — James Ward-Prowse, Josh Laurent — Jaidon Anthony, Zian Flemming, Loum Tchaouna.
Absentees: Jordan Beyer, Connor Roberts, Josh Cullen (injured).
Form and Line-up
Aston Villa have reached the Europa League final by knocking out fellow English club Nottingham Forest (4:1 on aggregate). The home win over the Tricky Trees was their first after a run of three defeats in all competitions. The team were clearly conserving their resources, having a certain cushion over sixth place, but in one of the most important matches the attack produced a performance to savour. Emiliano Buendia's dribble before the first goal against Forest alone was worth watching.
Key numbers:
Ollie Watkins has scored in three of the last five matches in which he started.
The Claret goalkeepers have prevented around 10 goals (xGDiff) in the Premier League.
In four of the team's last six matches in all competitions, one of the sides failed to score.
Probable Aston Villa line-up (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez — Matty Cash, Victor Lindelof, Tyrone Mings, Ian Maatsen — Lamare Bogarde, Youri Tielemans — Jadon Sancho, Ross Barkley, Morgan Rogers — Tammy Abraham.
Absentees: Amadou Onana, Boubacar Kamara, Josh McGinn (injured).
