Watkins rues quick turnaround after Aston Villa draw at relegated Burnley

Watkins rues quick turnaround after Aston Villa draw at relegated Burnley

Ollie Watkins has admitted Aston Villa suffered from the short turnaround after drawing 2-2 at relegated Burnley.

Unai Emery’s side missed the chance to move above Liverpool into fourth, and all but secure Champions League qualification, after dropped points at Turf Moor.

Villa fell behind inside eight minutes to Jaidon Anthony’s effort for Burnley, but turned the game around via goals from Ross Barkley and Watkins, either side of half-time. However, the visitors were not able to hold on for the point as Zian Flemming rescued a result for Burnley.

The draw extended Villa’s recent run to just one win in five Premier League games, while Emery’s side have not won away from home in the league since January.

Watkins admits the fatigue from the club’s midweek Europa League semi-final played its part in the performance.

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Watkins said: “It was a valuable point. If you can’t win then don’t lose. Our away form hasn’t been where we want it – we haven’t won away since around January at Newcastle.

“We’ve done amazing to get to this position with our home form so we can’t be too picky. It’s unfortunate we couldn’t see it out after leading.

“You have to dig in and leave it all out there in Europe but now we’ve got time to rest and recover. The big midweek performance against left everyone tired and a short turnaround wasn’t ideal.”