Ollie Watkins flies into the area, chops on to his right foot, yes, yes, nope. His shot is tame and an easy grab for Nick Pope this time. Didn't get hold of it at all.

You can't be watching this game Michael. Not boring in the slightest. In fact there are about 10 teams I could name without thinking who are more boring to watch than this Burnley display.

Both teams have been enterprising and unlucky so far as Robbie Brady now curls a free-kick on goal.

Michael Reid: Is there actually a more boring team in the Premier league to watch than Burnley? Although, if history is anything to go by they'll get 40 points this season and survive to bore us for another year.

Lee Hendrie
Former Aston Villa midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

What a save by Nick Pope. That was going in. His finger-tips just about put it on to the bar. Excellent save.

And now Dwight McNeil again! For the second time he goes on a weaving, waving run that takes him from the halfway line into the heart of the Villa box and it's swiped clear.

What a half!

So unlucky! Anwar el Ghazi lines up the free-kick, gets it over the wall and thunks the top of the crossbar!

Actually, on second viewing, that is an outstanding save from Nick Pope! The slightest of touches on it.

Blinding stop.

Brilliant again from Jack Grealish, he's heavily involved in the middle today and he runs right at the Clarets backline, Ben Mee has to foul him. Free-kick in a good spot.

Lee Hendrie
Former Aston Villa midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

I don't think it was malicious enough for the red card.

Video Assistant Refereepublished at 33 mins

33 mins

Aston Villa 0-0 Burnley

VAR actually check that for a possible red card but yellow is stern enough. Seconds later, Jack Grealish is wide with a backheeled volley.

Remember that goal Matt Lowton scored for Villa, at Stoke? Outstanding.

Robbie Brady is booked for a challenge that catches his man on the Achilles.

And now there's one off the line! Ollie Watkins didn't know much about it, Ahmed Elmohamady's shot takes a deflection and then hits Watkins on the knee and is going in until Matt Lowton heads off the line.

Burnley's defenders are so good at that sort of stuff.

I can tell you with no sense of sarcasm that I've thoroughly enjoyed the first half hour of Villa 0-0 Burnley. It's a good, open game.

Ben: Burnley actually playing football for a change ! Good first half hour.. let’s hope this ages well

Lee Hendrie
Former Aston Villa midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

It's been a wide open game. How have we not got a goal? Both teams are asking questions.

Image source, Getty Images

Robbie Brady bends a ball down the line, Jay Rodriguez is onside and clear of the Villa defence. Can he pick a man out? No, good claim from Emi Martinez.

Now Villa have a corner and Bertrand Traore snakes in a low shot which Nick Pope has to save. Fine game this!

And now Anwar el Ghazi curls over. My speculative request for a 4-4 may happen yet.

And now Burnley go close again! What a save that is, Josh Brownhill crosses, Chris Wood is between two defenders and thumps a header goalward, Emi Martinez makes a flying save.

A bit of one for the cameras but still! Could be 2-2.

Lee Hendrie
Former Aston Villa midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

What a fabulous job Sean Dyche has done at Burnley. There are not many others who could do what he has done. You can see why they are so well oiled from back to front. They do try and get the ball up to the front two as much as possible and the energy they possess in that midfield, they get bodies forward.

This is a really open game now! Jack Grealish carries it down the left, the cross comes in, Burnley don't deal with it and it falls to Bertrand Traore.

He can't get a clean shot away and Burnley just about clear.

And that's some really nice play from Burnley! Cracking from Dwight McNeil, weaving his way from the halfway line down that end of Villa Park like a certain Mr. Giggs. He finds Jay Rodriguez on the right, he pulls it back to Ashley Westwood and he sidefoots a curler about two yards wide!

That would have been a screamer!