Douglas Luiz’s late penalty helped Aston Villa defeat 10-man Burnley 3-2 to go up to equal first place in the Premier League, while Manchester City reduced the gap on the leaders by thrashing Sheffield United 2-0.
After surrendering points against Sheffield United at home for the first time this season and squandering a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 at Manchester United on Boxing Day, it appeared like Villa’s forgettable Christmas was about to continue.
But Luiz’s penalty shot, which slid in off the underside of the bar, broke the hearts of Burnley supporters and pulled Unai Emery’s team level with Liverpool at the top of the league.
Zeki Amdouni promptly negated Leon Bailey’s opening goal for the home team.
