Matty Cash’s first Aston Villa goals in over a year inspired Unai Emery’s side to a 3-1 win over Burnley at Turf Moor.

Cash came into the squad as the only unimplemented change from Villa’s 5-0 midweek Europa League play-off win over Hibernian, and ensured there was no European hangover for his team by scoring twice in the first 20 minutes.

Lyle Foster gave Burnley hope with a powerful strike two minutes into the second half, but Moussa Diaby restored Villa’s two-goal lead just after the hour mark as they ended a series of five games without a league win on the road.

Villa brought in summer signing Nicolo Zaniolo late in the second half and the Italian almost scored on his debut with a goal, but his new side had already done enough to ensure the three points were theirs, the result lifting them to sixth place in the Premier League. painting.

As for Burnley, they find themselves in 18th place after the first weeks of the campaign. Vincent Kompany’s side built their Sky Bet league title on a 21-match unbeaten streak at home, but started life in the top flight again with back-to-back defeats at Turf Moor.

How Villa dealt another blow to Burnley

Cash, playing an advanced role on the right side of Villa’s midfield, needed just eight minutes to break the deadlock, sliding to fend off Ollie Watkins’ cross after John McGinn’s ball through above left Burnley keeper James Trafford caught in two. the spirits.

It was the Poland international’s first goal since the final day of the 2021-22 season and the drama of Manchester City’s victory from behind against Villa, but there would soon be another with Cash at the heart of a skillful pass. move.

Cutting from the right to collect Watkins’ pass, Cash handed the ball to Diaby on the right side of the box and then charged through the middle to hit the resulting cross.

Burnley looked rusty after the postponement of last weekend’s trip to Luton left them with enforced rest and were overwhelmed defensively as the chances continued to present themselves.

Cash, brimming with confidence, attempted a spectacular volley from a deep cross from Lucas Digne in the 35th minute but Hannes Delcroix, who was making his Burnley debut after arriving midweek from Anderlecht, blocked for send him over the crossbar.

Cash joined Diaby again, whose deflected cross found Watkins, but Trafford were in the right place to deny him from close range.

Burnley had done little to threaten Robin Olsen’s goal, making their first Premier League start since New Year’s Day with Emi Martinez sidelined with a calf strain, but the things changed immediately at the start of the second half.

Substitute Johann Berg Gudmundsson headed a ball deep into the box and Foster had the power to hold off Pau Torres, spinning to shoot past Olsen.

Burnley were suddenly on top. Sander Berge sent a cross asking for a throw-in, then Zeki Amdouni sowed panic between Torres and Olsen.

Further confusion between Olsen and Boubacar Kamara allowed Berge to rush into the box, earning a corner from which Olsen did well to deny Delcroix a first goal.

After coping with the pressure, Villa hit Burnley at the break just after the hour mark. McGinn ignored a shirt removal from Ameen Al-Dakhil to play Digne, who removed the ball for Diaby to find the bottom right corner – the goal survived a VAR check for offside.

Watkins should have scored four in the 67th minute when he beat Delcroix from a low cross, but Trafford again denied it from close range, holding smartly.

Zaniolo replaced Diaby on his Villa debut and nearly scored on his first involvement, seeing his shot deflected wide, but the Italy international should have faced unmarked Watkins.

Cash, still looking for a hat-trick, fired narrowly wide with 10 minutes to go while Zaniolo launched a powerful effort just overhead. Burnley substitute Jay Rodriguez then twice threatened Olsen’s goal late in the game, but the hosts had no way back.

Emery praises ‘versatile’ Cash

AstonVilla the head coach Unai Emery said: “He is versatile, he played before as a winger, he plays with us sometimes in defense, sometimes lower, but we used him in pre-season playing higher, as a winger.

“He helped us a lot today defensively and offensively and then he used that moment to remember when he played more at Nottingham Forest as a winger. His two goals were a good example for us but we know that ‘he can be versatile.”

This versatility may be essential for Villa at a time when injuries limit Emery’s options. The Spaniard named just eight players, including two goalkeepers, on the bench, and admitted Villa could be active again before the transfer window closes.

“There are still four days left to complete the transfer window and we have to be ready,” Emery said. “We have to be ready in case someone leaves, in case we have a good opportunity to add another player with us.

“I’ve always worked in my teams and I’m ready at the end if someone can come with us or if someone can leave.”

Of Moussa Diaby, who impressed again for Villa against Burnley, Emery said: “His adaptation is happening quickly but he needs that adaptation every game to get to know his team-mates better and where in our structure his best is. position. He is also a versatile player.

“It’s very important for him and for the team, his ability to help, to score goals.”

Kompany: Learning has a price

Burnley director Vincent Kompany said: “Learning has a price in the Premier League. I didn’t think we started the game badly, we had moments, we just couldn’t get a real grip on the game and he there was always the threat of Aston.Counters of villas.

“In the second half we built momentum, the goal definitely helped us, and just at the peak of that momentum we conceded the goal and that was kind of the story of the game.”

Kompany debuted at Hannes Delcroix, meaning six of the starting XI were new signings this summer. The manager admitted that there would be an adjustment period.

“It’s a conscious choice,” he said. “You look at the bottom of the league and you find all the flavors of it: teams that are stable and haven’t changed and teams that have changed.

“For us, we want to move on. I’ve seen enough in our team to know that we make a game with games. Every game there is something for us, and if that continues, I think that we will have enough results.”

How was the game

Fantasy Premier League Stats

Opta stats: Villa becoming an away force

• Burnley have lost their first two games of the season in each of their last three Premier League campaigns.
• Since Unai Emery took charge in November 2022, only Manchester City (10) and Arsenal (9) have won more Premier League away games than Aston Villa (7).
• Moussa Diaby is the first Frenchman involved in three Premier League goals in his first three appearances in the competition (2 goals, 1 assist) since Anthony Martial in September 2015.
• Matty Cash scored just the second brace of his career in his 253rd appearance in all competitions, following his two-goal appearance for Nottingham Forest against Norwich in December 2018.
• Ollie Watkins has been involved in 55 Premier League goals since his Aston Villa debut in September 2020 (40 goals, 15 assists).

And after?

Burnley are in midweek action for the Carabao Cup when they visit Nottingham Forest Wednesday evening, kick-off at 7:45 p.m. The Clarets then welcome Tottenham in their next Premier League match on Saturday, kicking off at 3pm.

AstonVilla have the second leg of the Europa League Conference play-offs against Hibernian Thursday evening at 8 p.m., with Unai Emery’s team 5-0 from the first leg. Villa then go to Anfield to play liverpool next Sunday, kick off at 2 p.m.