Jack Grealish stars as Aston Villa recover from controversial VAR call to beat Burnley and move out of relegation zone
Aston Villa overcame VAR controversy to claim a crucial 2-1 win over Burnley at Turf Moor in their battle to avoid Premier League relegation.
After video technology ruled out an early Villa goal due to a marginal offside, Wesley and Jack Grealish both struck in the opening half to put the visitors in control.
Chris Wood pulled one back for Burnley with ten minutes left to set up a thrilling finale but Dean Smith's side held out to claim only their second away win of the season and move out of the relegation zone.
Victory came at a cost for Villa, however, as they lost both Wesley and Tom Heaton to injury.
Unsurprisingly VAR threatened to steal the headlines once again when it disallowed Grealish's opener on 11 minutes.
The midfielder headed home Ezri Konsa's cross but Wesley's heel was deemed to be millmetres offside in the build-up after a VAR check and the goal was ruled out.
Villa, however, refused to be too downhearted and continued to take the game to Burnley.
And they finally did grab the lead midway through the half when Wesley controlled Grealish's pass and volleyed the ball past Nick Pope.
Four minutes before half-time it was 2-0 as Grealish got the goal he deserved - with VAR not intervening this time.
The energetic midfielder cut inside and fired an unstoppable effort past Pope to get the reward his performance deserved.
Villa suffered a blow when opening scorer Wesley was carried off on a stretcher at Turf Moor after a firm but fir tackle by Ben Mee and then saw their lead reduced when Wood struck.
Villa then lost another player to injury with goalkeeper Tom Heaton hurting his knee while making a save and forced off on a stretcher.
But despite intense pressure from Burnley, the visitors held out for a crucial three points.