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

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.

Unai Emery must decide what to do with his squad in Villa's final two fixtures (Reuters) In a display of forced positivity, Emery declared himself “very, very happy” with the performance at Turf Moor. “We can feel so proud of what we are doing,” he said. “To be in the top five in the Premier League , it is fantastic.