Malen makes it four wins in row for resurgent Vila

VILLA secured their fourth successive victory in all competitions with a 2-1 win over Burnley at Villa Park.

- By JOHN TOWNLEY

Donyell Malen bagged a brace, opening the scoring in the first half with an excellent finish after being sent through on goal by Boubacar Kamara, before doubling his tally by firing past the former Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka again, this time in front of the Holte End.

Lesley Ugochukwu then halved the deficit in the 78th minute, rising highest from a corner to head past Emi Martinez.

Malen was one of four changes Unai Emery made from the side that beat Feyenoord on Thursday night, with Martinez, Lucas Digne, and Lamare Bogarde also coming into the starting XI.

Villa started on the front foot and won a couple of early corners within the opening 10 minutes. Both of Digne's deliveries caused problems for Burnley: Malen flicked the first cross on at the near post but found no takers, before Dubravka made a smart stop to deny Ezri Konsa's header from the second set-piece.

Konsa's chance came shortly after he made an important block following a save by Martinez, who denied Quilindschy Hartman inside the box though the offside flag was about to be raised.

Malen remained a threat even before his goal, linking up well with Morgan Rogers on the left. Rogers' shot, however, deflected just wide of the far post.

In the 25th minute, Malen broke the deadlock. He latched onto Kamara's defence-splitting pass, held off Maxime Estève, and slotted past Dubravka.