Ex-Clarets striker Danny Ings opened the scoring in the seventh minute when calmly finishing past Nick Pope after Emiliano Buendia’s pass split Nathan Collins and Connor Roberts.
Buendia then added a second for the Villans just after the half-hour mark when Dwight McNeil failed to spot Lucas Digne’s overlapping run, the Frenchman pulled the ball back to the penalty spot where his Argentine team-mate, formerly of Norwich City, side-footed home via a deflection off the heel of James Tarkowski.
Steven Gerrard’s side then emulated their start to the game after the break when netting seven minutes into the second half. This time it was Ollie Watkins on the scoresheet as the forward powered a header from John McGinn’s delivery beyond Pope from close range.
But with the fight for survival threatening to go right down to the wire, substitute Maxwel Cornet netted what could prove to be a vital consolation in stoppage time when taking the ball around Emi Martinez from an Erik Pieters pass and rifling a finish into the roof of the net.
It finished 3-1. Here are the ratings.
Steven Gerrard’s side then emulated their start to the game after the break when netting seven minutes into the second half. This time it was Ollie Watkins on the scoresheet as the forward powered a header from John McGinn’s delivery beyond Pope from close range.
5. James Tarkowski 5.5
Seemed indecisive as to whether he should stick or twist when Buendia collected the ball prior to the Argentinian's assist and then far too deep positionally for Villa's second, which clipped his heel before creeping past Pope. Tweaked his hamstring early in the second half and replaced by Long. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Photo: Catherine Ivill
6. Dwight McNeil 5.5
The Clarets were heavily reliant on his creativity in the first half, with his running on the ball and his distribution the home side's only means of unlocking doors. His passing pierced the lines, allowing the hosts to get the ball in and around the box, and his movement opened things up. However, he failed to track Digne's run for Villa's second and then squandered a huge opportunity to get Burnley back into it just before the break. His finish lacked conviction and Barnes, who was square in the area, might have been the better option. Faded in the second half. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
Photo: Lewis Storey
7. Aaron Lennon 4.5
Diligent in his work against the ball, as per, tracking McGinn in a bid to prevent the Scot getting forward. However, hesitant on the ball, and rarely travelled with it, which made life easy for Cash and allowed the former Forest defender to push into advanced positions. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Photo: Mike Hewitt
8. Jack Cork 4.5
Made a difference when protecting the ball and breaking up play in recent weeks, but lost out on the majority of the second balls against Villa. Had the chance to prevent the away side's third, only to hurdle the ball when it was there to be won and Burnley were duly punished. Tried to move the ball forward to break the lines, but the Clarets were far too rigid in the final third to capitalise. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Photo: Gareth Copley