Relegated Burnley attempt to halt a hapless home run on Sunday (14:00 BST) when they welcome an Aston Villa side seeking Champions League qualification.
Burnley’s home troubles show no sign of easing
Burnley’s difficulties at Turf Moor have defined their season. They are winless in 13 Premier League home matches since October and risk equalling their longest such run in the competition if they fail to beat Villa.
It is part of a wider slump, with just one win in their past 26 league games. A change in the dugout has not yet shifted the trajectory, albeit Michael Jackson is still in the early stages of his tenure.
Burnley are winless in their past five league meetings with Villa and have rarely found this fixture straightforward in the Premier League era.
An isolated bright spot for the Clarets has been goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. He has made the most saves of any goalkeeper in the league – a reflection of the pressure Burnley have faced defensively. Despite conceding 71 goals, his performances have prevented an already bleak season from being even worse.
Villa’s away form remains a concern
Villa have only collected seven points from their past eight league games, a run that has slowed their push for a top five finish. Nonetheless, it would take a significant collapse to miss out on Champions League qualification through their league position.
Reaching the Europa League final has offered an alternative route into Europe’s top competition and may allow Unai Emery’s side to play with more freedom in the run-in.
Their away record, though, continues to undermine them, with Villa winless in their past five league matches on the road.