Burnley 2-2 Aston Villa result - Relegated hosts earn draw to dent Villa's quest for Champions League football

Ollie Watkins was on the scoresheet for Aston Villa, who were held to a 2-2 draw against relegated Burnley in their quest for UEFA Champions League football next season.

Burnley took a surprise lead when Lesley Ugochukwu's effort gave Emi Martinez all sorts of problems, with the goalkeeper only able to parry the ball into the path of Jaidon Anthony to stab home after only eight minutes.

Villa thought they had equalised when Morgan Rogers put the ball on a plate for Watkins to nod home, but the England striker had made his run a touch too early and was ruled offside by VAR.

However, Villa did get their equaliser just minutes later when John McGinn’s corner met Ross Barkley’s head, as the midfielder steered beyond Max Weiss at the front post.

Following the break, Unai Emery’s team got themselves in front when Martinez’s route-one ball found the onrushing Watkins, who broke through two defenders before slotting the ball beyond Weiss for his eighth goal in his last 10 matches across all competitions.

But Burnley responded excellently, dispossessing Matty Cash before Hannibal Mejbri expertly flicked the ball into the path of Zian Flemming to finish smartly.

Villa - who briefly went above Liverpool and into fourth while leading - pushed hard in the final period, but Burnley held firm to earn a point at Turf Moor.

Emery’s side remain in fifth place, four points clear of sixth-place Bournemouth with two matches to play.

That's it!

Could that be a blow for Villa in their search for a top-five finish?

They get down the left and the ball is swung into the box, but no one in claret can get a clear shot at goal as Villa clear their lines.

The visitors fly down the other end, but Watkins's pass into the box is a poor one.

Buendia finds space on the edge of the box and curls an effort towards goal, but the Burnley goalkeeper is alert to it and makes a comfortable save.

This game is really opening up!

Of course, Villa have the Europa League final to look forward to, but getting into the Champions League via the Premier League will take the pressure off ahead of the final in Istanbul - a late goal here would go a long way in doing that.

Unai Emery is constantly up and down the touchline, he is desperate to see his side gain all three points here.

There is till time for both sides to win this!

Buendia is caught by Walker, but Anthony Taylor waves it away.

Replays show that Buendia looked for the contact, rather than Walker tripping him up, and VAR sticks with the on-field decision.

They're looking to see this one out.

How significant could these last eight minutes, plus added time, be?

They briefly went above Liverpool and into fourth while leading, but as it stands, there are only four points between Emery's side and sixth-place Bournemouth with two games to go.

Barkley is replaced.

Luca Digne sends in a brilliant ball just after coming on and McGinn is as free as a bird at the back post, but the ball bounces before he can get his head on it as the ball scrambles wide.

Villa are looking to hit back and Barkley pulls the trigger from a tight angle but his shot is blocked well by Maxime Esteve.

It's the first of the afternoon as Hannibal is replaced.