What a week and still a big one to come. A big week in terms of the result in Scotland and a big week to come in terms of the transfer window closing. But all that should be put to one side because tomorrow, it's a big match.
Burnley wont be easy and this is only their second game of the season so there is not really a lot we can look at to know what to expect. I think we can expect that they're going to give it a go.
And expecting this does help, but there is no guarantee. I like that Aaron Ramsey might start tomorrow so soon after leaving us.
There was a lot of talk about him as a youngster, some saying he was better than his brother. A lot like there was a lot that said very positive things about Cameron Archer last season.
But the focus has to be tomorrow, not about what might or might not happen next week. So until then, tomorrow that is, I'm going to open a bottle and see where it takes me.
Match facts from the BBC
Head-to-head
- There has been at least one draw between Burnley and Aston Villa in each of the last six league campaigns in which they have faced each other.
- Villa have won two of their last three away league games at Burnley, which is as many victories as they managed in their 29 previous matches at Turf Moor.
- There have only been two home wins in 10 Premier League matches between these sides.
- Burnley have scored in each of their last 38 league matches at home against Villa, dating back to a 0-0 draw in January 1920.
Burnley
- Burnley are aiming to avoid becoming only the third side to lose their opening two top-flight matches in three successive seasons after QPR (1976-79) and Bournemouth (2015-18).
- The Clarets' only win in their last 13 Premier League fixtures played in August was a 3-0 home victory over Southampton in 2019.
- After a 21-match unbeaten run at Turf Moor, Burnley have lost two of their last three league games at home.
- They have already lost as many league matches at Turf Moor this season as they did in their entire Championship-winning campaign last season.
- The average age of their starting XI against Manchester City in their opening game of the season was 23 years and 206 days, which was their youngest ever in a Premier League match.
Aston Villa
- Aston Villa's eight consecutive Premier League wins at Villa Park is a club record. However, they are without a victory in their last five league away fixtures.
- They are only the second team in top-flight history to lose their opening game by four or more goals, then win their second game by the same margin or higher.
- Unai Emery's side are aiming to avoid losing both of their opening two away league matches for the fourth time in five seasons.
- Last season they won all three of their home games against promoted teams but failed to win any of the reverse fixtures, drawing one and losing two.
- Ollie Watkins scored a hat-trick against Hibs on Wednesday, but he has scored only one goal in his last nine Premier League appearances after a run of 11 goals in 12 top-flight games before that.