Villa expose fragile Burnley

CLARKE Carlisle, the Burnley defender, will make an appearance on popular British television show Countdown later this week, but it was Aston Villa who played the numbers game yesterday as they scored five to boost their Champions League aspirations.

While Manchester City and Liverpool played out a drab goalless draw at Eastlands, Martin O’Neill’s side were well below their best but still struck four goals in a ruthless 12-minute spell in the second-half for only their second win in eight games.

The result moves Villa level on points with Liverpool and one point off City, right in the thick of the race for the fourth and final slot in Europe’s premier competition next season. It also marks the start of an exciting week for the club, with a trip to Wembley next Sunday for the Carling Cup final against Manchester United on the horizon.