Burnley v Aston Villa: Dean Smith's men desperately need to get year off to flying start

A rotten finish to 2019, capped off by Saturday’s dismal 3-0 defeat at 10-man Watford, means there is no disguising the pressure mounting on Dean Smith and his team, whose promising start to life back in the Premier League now feels a distant memory.

Villa will begin 2020 in the bottom three, still only one point from safety, yet also conscious of the gap which could quickly open up to those above unless results swiftly improve.

Beating Burnley, who sit five places and six points higher in the table, would therefore be a huge boost, though to achieve it Villa would need to flip a form book which currently has them ranked as the worst away team in the top flight.

All told, Smith’s men have taken just four points from a possible 30 on their travels so far.

Little wonder there will be few neutrals backing them to do the business at a ground where the hosts have typically been strong since returning to the Premier League in 2016.

Burnley’s form this season, in truth, has been erratic. Sean Dyche’s team have lost eight of their last 12 league matches, including their last two. They have also been beaten in five out of 10 home games.

A month ago, this might have been a fixture Villa would have approached with a degree of optimism. Yet the considerable hits to their confidence in recent weeks, during a run of five defeats in six matches, means that is unlikely to now be the case.

If Villa are to begin turning their season around at Turf Moor, then it may require another big performance from Tom Heaton, who can expect a warm reception from home supporters on returning to his former club.

The 33-year-old made more than 200 appearances with the Clarets during a six-year stay in which he twice helped the club win promotion and become established in the top flight.

He departed for the Midlands in an £8million move last summer and though the recent statistics might not suggest it – with Villa having conceded 15 goals in their last six matches – he has been among their better performers.

Heaton’s experience is likely to be key if Smith’s team are to dig their way out of trouble.

“Tom is a world-class keeper,” said centre-back Kortney Hause. “He hasn’t played for England for no reason. Just having him behind you, he has helped me a lot coming into the team.

“He has made me feel confident after every single game. That is only going to help me. I know I have to stay grounded. You can hear him throughout the pitch.”