Aston Villa-Burnley F.C. Preview

Nov 19, 2009 - 5:42 PM WALTER SIMON STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Owen Coyle wants to celebrate his two-year anniversary as Burnley manager by beating Aston Villa this Saturday after pledging his future to the Turf Moor club.

Former Motherwell striker Coyle has been linked with the vacant Scotland managerial job following the sacking of George Burley but has no intention of abandoning the Clarets.

Burnley welcome Villa to Turf Moor with just one home league defeat all season and sitting relatively comfortably in 10th position having been written off as definite relegation contenders.

Coyle said: "There's nothing to be said about the Scotland, I'm the Burnley manager and that's it, without going overboard about it, we'll put some closure on this just now.

"We have a big, big job to do what we are doing in the Premier League and I don't want any distractions before the Aston Villa game on Saturday.

"It's as simple as that \2013 I'm the Burnley manager. I've been in the position before where there has been an advance from other clubs and I've always said that I love everything that I am doing at this football club.

"That remains the case so I think that would tell everybody my feelings, I love it at Burnley football club, my job is here and that is what I will look to continue to do."

Coyle has transformed Burnley from a bottom half Championship side into a competitive Premier League outfit in just two years.

Midfielder Wade Elliott has revealed he was on the brink of a move away from Turf Moor when Coyle jointed and it was the ex-Irish international who persuaded him to stay in Lancashire.

Elliott said: "I was out of contract at the end of that season and when you get a new manager in, your never sure if he's going to fancy you or not."

Burnley will be without strikers Martin Patterson with a knee injury and Jay Rodriguez with an ankle injury.

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has admitted his side will be hard-pressed to repeat last season's heroic away record.

Villa achieved a club-record seven straight away wins last season, which started with a two-nil victory against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

O'Neill said: "This time last year we went on a fantastic run, winning games away from home.

"We kept it going for a considerable time, which was important, but repeating that this season won't be easy.

"What is also important is revering from your setbacks, that why winning against Bolton was so important.

"We have some tough games ahead before we bring in the New Year, this next set of games that lead up to Christmas will give us a fair indication of where we stand."

England winger Stuart Downing is back in full training but will not return until Christmas after revering from his ankle injury. O'Neill may also be without on-form defender James Collins with a groin strain and striker Emile Heskey with a back problem.