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Aston Villa crash back down to earth in Burnley draw to leave Unai Emery facing huge decision

The Independent·Richard Jolly·22 days ago
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The choruses were about the city that connects Europe to Asia, and not just from the Aston Villa fans, either. “Istanbul, you’re having a laugh,” chanted the Burnley faithful, first when their side led and then when they equalised against the Europa League finalists. Yet a trip to Turkey has instead become still more serious for Unai Emery . A club that has only qualified for the Champions League once in the last four decades may do so twice in a few days, or not at all. Now Villa’s route back into the European elite may have to come via their meeting with Freiburg on the banks of the Bosphorus . The stakes have been raised. Failing to beat a Burnley side who have not won a home league match since October means they still need three points to be mathematically certain of a top-five finish. Their last two domestic opponents are Liverpool and Manchester City . If winning at Turf Moor would have allowed Emery to rest and rotate against Arne Slot’s side on Friday, now he faces a decision.…

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