Aston Villa dropped crucial points after Burnley secured a surprising draw in the Premier League Champions League race

Aston Villa suffered a damaging setback in the race for Champions League qualification after being held to a 2-2 draw by already relegated Burnley FC at Villa Park on Sunday.

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Despite reaching the Europa League final, Aston Villa’s position in the Premier League remains under growing pressure with only two matches left in the season.

The result leaves Villa fifth in the table and vulnerable to challenges from rivals chasing a top-four finish.

Burnley stunned the home crowd by taking the lead after Jaidon Anthony reacted quickest to score from a rebound following a save by Emiliano Martínez from a long-range effort by Lesley Ugochukwu.

Villa believed they had equalised earlier through Ollie Watkins, but the strike was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.

The hosts eventually levelled through Ross Barkley, who powered home a header from a corner delivered by John McGinn.

Villa continued to push aggressively for a winner and briefly thought they had secured all three points when Watkins finished after a long pass from Martínez.

However, Burnley responded almost immediately with a sharp attacking move finished clinically by Zian Flemming to rescue a valuable draw for the visitors.

The point marked Burnley’s first away result in almost two months despite the club’s relegation already being confirmed.

Late drama followed when Villa appealed for a penalty after Kyle Walker appeared to step on the foot of Emiliano Buendía inside the area.

VAR reviewed the incident but declined to award a spot-kick, leaving frustration among the Villa players and supporters.

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The disappointing result complicates Aston Villa’s push for Champions League football next season and increases the pressure ahead of their final two league matches.