Villa extend winning run as Malen double sinks Burnley

Donyell Malen scored twice as improving Aston Villa stretched their winning run to four matches in all competitions with victory over struggling Burnley.

Having created several early opportunities to take the lead at Villa Park, Unai Emery's side eventually got their noses in front when Boubacar Kamara's defence-splitting pass released Malen, who found the bottom corner.

It was the Dutchman's first goal of the season, having last netted at Southampton in April.

Returning Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, who pulled out of Thursday's 2-0 Europa League win over Feyenoord with a calf problem, produced a marvellous one-handed save to tip Josh Cullen's low shot away as Burnley sought a reply.

Villa remained on top, though, and felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Morgan Rogers went to ground under the challenge of Axel Tuanzebe, but referee Andrew Kitchen waved away protests for a pull on the England midfielder.

The second half was a more subdued affair, but the hosts deservedly doubled their advantage in the 63rd-minute when Malen - who was about to be taken off - slammed Rogers' pass into the far corner for his second of the afternoon.

Lesley Ugochukwu nodded home his first Burnley goal to reduce the arrears with 12 minutes left, but Emery's men held on to clinch back-to-back league successes after their winless start to the campaign.

Villa are in 13th spot, while Scott Parker's side are third from bottom after a fifth game without a league victory.

Aston Villa analysis: Emery's team turning corner as Malen grasps opportunity

Donyell Malen's scored from two of his five touches in the Burnley penalty area

Villa boss Emery cut a disconsolate figure after watching his team labour to a 1-1 draw at newly promoted Sunderland on 21 September, even describing aspects of his team's performance at the Stadium of Light as "lazy".

Fast forward two weeks, however, and last season's Champions League quarter-finalists appear to be rediscovering their groove, although there is still ample room for improvement.

While the early stages of Sunday's game were not exactly one-sided, the hosts created by far the better chances and could have taken the lead before Malen's 25th-minute effort.

Ollie Watkins should have turned home Malen's flick inside the six-yard box, while Ezri Konsa had a free header parried behind by Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

Rogers, who looked much sharper than in recent weeks, also had a curling effort deflected wide by veteran full-back Kyle Walker, before Malen settled Villa nerves midway through the half with a fine finish.

The former Borussia Dortmund man has struggled in front of goal since netting in three successive league games back in April, but the double will do his and Villa's confidence no end of good as Emery's side look to put their early season woes behind them.

"His performance was very good," Emery told BBC Match of the Day when asked about the 26-year-old's display. "For him, it is very important to get confident and be a protagonist. He was comfortable in the structure and closer to Ollie Watkins.

"He took this challenge to play in the starting 11. We will continue working to try to identify his best position."

The game ended on a sour note for Villa as Emi Buendia was forced off with a head injury after being caught by Zian Flemming, but Emery confirmed the problem is not as serious as first feared.

"I saw him after the match and he is getting better," he added.

Burnley analysis: Deja vu for Clarets

Clarets fans can be forgiven for feeling a sense of deja vu as they flocked out of Villa Park.

Parker's team, who have competed well during games against Tottenham, Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City this season, found themselves in some excellent attacking positions in the first half in particular.

Hartman was denied by Martinez in a one v one situation, but was deemed to be offside from Walker's pass, while Cullen was thwarted by an excellent stop from the Villa keeper.

But the visitors were carved open far too easily for the opening goal, with Kamara given time and space to thread a lovely pass in behind Burnley's back five for Malen to run on to.

"There is a theme at the moment," Parker told BBC Match of the Day. "We were hugely competitive, but switched off in certain moments.

"There are things that I really like from the first seven games, but there are little things that we need to fix up on a little bit."

After Ugochukwu had halved the deficit, striker Armando Broja failed to make proper contact with a stoppage-time effort, but was offside anyway.

It meant Burnley are still pointless in four away games since their top-flight return and have crucial games against Leeds and Wolves - who are two points below them in bottom spot - to follow after the international break.

What's next for these teams?

Aston Villa: Villa travel to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, 19 October (14:00 BST), before a Europa League tie at Go Ahead Eagles four days later (17:45 BST).

Burnley: The Clarets welcome Leeds to Turf Moor on Saturday, 18 October (15:00), before a visit to Wolves on Sunday, 26 October (14:00 BST).