Gameweek 3 of the 2023/24 Premier League season will wrap up on Sunday, with three matches on show. The action will kick off at Turf Moor, where Burnley will be in front of the home fans for the second time in as many games this term when they host Aston Villa.

Burnley had a trial by fire on the opening day of the 2023/24 season as they hosted Manchester City at Turf Moor. And the reigning champions made light work of Vincent Kompany’s men, who suffered a 3-0 defeat. But they showed some positive signs, which bodes well for the new term. Meanwhile, the Clarets were not in action last week due to Luton Town’s impending work at Kenilworth Road.

Like the home side, Aston Villa began the 2023/24 campaign with a forgettable showing as Newcastle United hammered them to a 5-1 defeat at St. James’ Park. But Unai Emery’s men have bounced back well since then, cruising to a 4-0 win over Everton last weekend. They followed that up with a 5-0 victory against Hibernian in the UEFA Europa Conference League playoffs.

Burnley suffered a 3-1 loss the last time they hosted Aston Villa at Turf Moor in the Premier League. Danny Ings, Emiliano Buendia, and Ollie Watkins found the back of the net for the Villans, while Maxwel Cornet scored a late consolation goal. And The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.

Team News & Tactics

Burnley

Vincent Kompany has new roster issues hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest game. Against Aston Villa on Sunday, the Burnley manager might be without as many as four first-team players.

Anass Zaroury is unavailable for the next three games after seeing red against Manchester City in the season-opening fixture two weeks ago. In addition, Darko Churlinov (knock) and Michael Obafemi (thigh) are nursing injuries that will keep them out for the foreseeable future.

Meanwhile, Kompany has been sweating over the fitness of Jordan Beyer, who has been recovering from a hamstring strain. The German defender will face a late fitness test to determine his availability. But he should be available to take on Aston Villa this weekend.

Beyer will join Dara O’Shea and Ameen Al-Dakhil in the central defensive unit. And the trio will protect James Trafford, who will take his spot between the sticks. Meanwhile, Burnley will line up in a 3-4-3 formation in front of the Englishman, with the system morphing into a 5-4-1 during the defensive phases.

So the wing-backs and wide attackers will have to be tireless workers on the flanks. But Connor Roberts and Vitinho will have the freedom to create chances when charging forward. As for the midfield unit, Josh Cullen and Sander Berge will look to keep things tight in the middle of the park.

Jacob Bruun Larsen and Nathan Redmond will be the two wide men for Burnley. And the duo will be direct in the final third, looking to take on the Aston Villa defenders. Finally, Zeki Amdouni will likely spearhead the Burnley attack against the Villans on Sunday.

Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Trafford; O’Shea, Al-Dakhil, Beyer; Roberts, Berge, Cullen, Vitinho; Redmond, Amdouni, Larsen

Aston Villa

The season has not started well for Unai Emery and Aston Villa, with several players picking up long-term injuries. And the visitors will be without as many as seven first-team players against Burnley on Sunday.

Tyrone Mings and Emiliano Buendia have been the early casualties for Aston Villa this season. The two players are nursing their respective knee injuries, which will keep them out for most of the new campaign.

In addition, Alex Moreno (thigh), Timothy Iroegbunam (unspecified), Jacob Ramsey (foot), Leander Dendoncker (muscle injury), and Philippe Coutinho (hamstring) are on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Emery has been sweating over the fitness of Emiliano Martinez, who has been recovering from a minor calf pain.

The World Cup winner did not train on Friday and faces a late fitness test to determine his availability. So Robin Olsen will be on standby as Emery and Aston Villa ascertain whether Martinez will be able to take on Burnley. And the visitors will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of the goalkeeper.

Pau Torres has automatically become the undisputed first-choice centre-back for Aston Villa in Mings’s absence. And the Spaniard will pair up with Ezri Konsa at the heart of the backline. Lucas Digne and Matty Cash should be the two full-backs again on Sunday.

As for the midfield unit, Douglas Luiz and Boubacar Kamara have forged a solid partnership in the double pivot. The duo will look to keep things tight in the middle of the park while initiating quick transitions. And captain John McGinn will have a free role in the centre of the pitch, looking to make quick runs into the opposition’s box.

McGinn’s presence in the final third will mean Moussa Diaby and Leon Bailey will take on the Burnley defenders with directness. Finally, Ollie Watkins will look to break his duck in the Premier League this season after scoring a hat-trick against Hibernian.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Luiz; Diaby, McGinn, Bailey; Watkins

Key Stats

• There has been at least one draw between Burnley and Aston Villa in the last six league campaigns in which they have faced each other. The Villans have won two of their last three away league games at Burnley, as many victories as they managed in their 29 previous matches at Turf Moor.
• Burnley’s only win in their last 13 Premier League fixtures played in August was a 3-0 home victory over Southampton in 2019. After a 21-match unbeaten run at Turf Moor, they have lost two of their last three league games at home. Meanwhile, the Clarets have already lost as many league matches at Turf Moor this season as they did in their entire Championship-winning campaign last season.
• Aston Villa’s eight consecutive Premier League wins at Villa Park is a club record. However, they are without a victory in their last five league away fixtures.
• Last season, Aston Villa won all three of their home games against promoted teams but failed to win any of the reverse fixtures, drawing one and losing two.
• Ollie Watkins scored a hat-trick against Hibernian on Wednesday. But he has scored only one goal in his last nine Premier League appearances after a run of 11 goals in 12 top-flight games before that.

Player to Watch

Nicolo Zaniolo was not available to take on Hibernian earlier this week due to UEFA regulations. But he can finally make his Aston Villa debut when they lock horns with Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday. However, a start may elude him this weekend as Emery looks to ease him into the thick of the action.

That said, the Italian international will be raring to go and should appear off the bench as an impact substitute. Considering Burnley can frustrate a leggy Aston Villa, Zaniolo’s advent in the second half should bode well for the visitors. So expect him to make his mark in his first outing for the West Midlands club.

Prediction

Burnley 0-2 Aston Villa

Sunday’s fixture will give an early indication of what European excursions will feel like for Aston Villa this season. And while the Villans had an easy day at work against Hibernian, the energy levels do take a hit from extra travelling and with more minutes in the leg. Interestingly, there have only been two home wins in 10 Premier League matches between these sides.

Burnley should take advantage of the situation, giving the Aston Villa defence some tough moments. But Unai Emery has a stacked offensive unit at his disposal, while the backline has been improving. And the debuting Nicolo Zaniolo should make his mark in his Aston Villa bow along with start striker Ollie Watkins. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 victory for the visiting side.