Analysis: Villa's league woes continue

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Over the past nine games Villa's league form (eight points) would see them in the relegation zone - a run that has put their Champions League position into some doubt.

They were highly impressive in Thursday's 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the Europa League semi-final second leg, which set up an Istanbul final with Freiburg.

Win that and Villa would be in the Champions League anyway - but they will want to do it through the Premier League.

Boss Unai Emery only made three changes from that win over Forest, but Villa did not come near to replicating that performance.

They missed several chances but also rode their luck to not go 2-0 behind.

Watkins thought he had made it 1-1 with a header into an empty net from Morgan Rogers' cross, but it was ruled out by the VAR for offside.

Barkley did level with a fine glancing header across the goal from a McGinn corner.

And when Watkins controlled Martinez's long ball on his shoulder before getting past two defenders and beating the onrushing Max Weiss, it felt like they should have been able to see it out.

But Matty Cash lost possession on the right and was made to pay by the Clarets.

Villa must now hope Bournemouth and Brighton both drop points - or else they will have to get something from games against Liverpool and to seal that top-five spot.