Malen answers Emery’s call as Villa make it four straight and climb to 13th

Aston Villa’s resurgence gathered speed with a 2-1 win over Burnley, Donyell Malen’s brace delivering a fourth successive victory in all competitions and a first back-to-back league success of the season. On Unai Emery’s 150th game at the helm, Villa’s aggression without the ball and incision with it put them in control before a late wobble tested their nerve.

Boubacar Kamara’s defence-splitting pass sent Malen away for a composed first-half finish and Morgan Rogers threaded the Dutchman through for a ruthless second just past the hour. Lesley Ugochukwu’s header set up a tense finale, but Villa — with Emiliano Martínez back in goal — saw it out to climb into 13th on nine points and change the mood after a winless start to the campaign.

A manager’s demands, a squad’s response

Emery had bristled at a flat 1-1 draw at Sunderland a fortnight ago, even labelling elements of that display “lazy”. The reaction has been emphatic. Villa Park felt upbeat from the opening whistle, the home support serenading a manager poised to celebrate three years in charge this month, and Emery rewarded that energy by restoring Martínez and promoting Malen after the midweek win over Feyenoord.

The performance matched the intent. Ollie Watkins nearly diverted in Malen’s flick inside the six-yard box, Ezri Konsa forced Martin Dubravka into a sharp parry from a free header, and Rogers — sharper than in recent weeks — curled narrowly wide via a deflection. The hosts had Burnley stretched and sensed the opener was coming.

Malen, the protagonist Villa needed

It arrived on 25 minutes, a goal of clarity and conviction. Kamara, calm and composed, pierced the defensive line with a perfect pass and Malen, nudged a touch wide but unflustered, swept his finish across Dubravka. It was his first of the season and first since April, the release of a forward determined to seize a rare league start.

The second, on 63 minutes, was even cleaner: a touch-and-bang strike after Rogers’ clever slide-rule ball down the right channel. Malen, who Emery said had “taken the challenge to play in the starting 11” and felt comfortable closer to Ollie Watkins, repaid that faith with cold-blooded finishing that gives Villa’s attack a different edge.

Rogers sharp between the lines, penalty shout ignored

Rogers’ influence ran through both goals — first gliding away from challenges before finding Kamara in the build-up to the opener, then delivering the assist for 2-0 — and his ball-carrying repeatedly tilted the pitch. His improvement was a quiet subplot with big consequences for Villa’s ability to break compact back fives.

He also drew the game’s flashpoint when he went to ground under Axel Tuanzebe’s challenge, but referee Andrew Kitchen waved away the penalty appeals. The decision kept the margin narrow and handed Burnley a foothold, though Villa never lost their structure.

Martínez’s return and the late wobble managed

Making his comeback after a calf issue, Martínez underlined his value with a superb one-handed stop to tip away Josh Cullen’s low drive, Burnley’s first shot of note. Hartman later ran in behind but was flagged offside before he could test the keeper, moments that never shook Villa from their rhythm.

The only sour notes were late. Ugochukwu’s header from a Hartman set-piece wriggled through Martínez’s legs to make it 2-1 and, deep in added time, Zian Flemming’s elbow forced Emiliano Buendía off with concussion — Emery reported afterwards the Argentine was recovering and “getting better”. Villa still finished strongest, with Dubravka beating away efforts from Rogers and Lucas Digne.

Form, footing and what comes next

Four wins on the spin — and a first run of consecutive league victories this season — suggest Villa have turned a corner after September’s shakiness. Emery hailed a “very good” month and reiterated the target of making Villa Park a fortress again.

The schedule sharpens after the break: a trip to Tottenham on 19 October precedes a Europa League tie at Go Ahead Eagles. On this evidence — Malen purring, Rogers incisive, Martínez authoritative — Villa look increasingly equipped to meet those demands.