There was plenty to digest at Burnley battled back twice for a point at Villa Park in a pulsating 2-2 draw. 

Below we take a look at the main talking points. 

New look suits Clarets

In a bid to get back into the game at Villa Park, Sean Dyche gave a fresh look to his side in the second half.

With Jack Cork nursing a shoulder problem the Clarets boss threw on another forward player in Jay Rodriguez rather than a midfielder.

He took up post on the right of a front three with Ashley Barnes playing from the left and Chris Wood through the middle.

Dwight McNeil and Jeff Hendrick also moved in from their wide positions to support Ashley Westwood and Burnley, by and large, looked a different proposition.

It resulted in goals for Rodriguez and Wood and it will now be interesting to see if it’s back to 4-4-2 against Everton or a continuation with this new look, only before seen briefly in pre-season.

Jay Rod gets in on the act

Rodriguez rising to meet Erik Peters’ cross on 67 minutes saw him follow Wood’s lead seven days earlier and score a first league goal of the season.

With Barnes having made an impressive start to the campaign that means the three main men up top are up and running for the campaign and competition for places is fierce.

The goal will be a relief for Rodriguez who has had to bide his time since returning to his hometown club from West Brom in the summer.

Given his Baggies allegiance, the cupped ear celebration also showed just how much he enjoyed a goal at Villa Park.

It was always going to be difficult to get ahead of the Barnes-Wood axis but Rodriguez will be hoping that he will have given Sean Dyche plenty to think about and with Matej Vydra, not in the squad on Saturday, also showing positive signs on occasion this season, the Burnley boss certainly has options in the final third.

Tarky knocking on the door

James Tarkowski spoke openly ahead of the game about his drive to get back in England contention.

Villa defender Tyrone Mings was picked ahead of him in the last squad but on the same pitch here it was the Burnley man who stood out as the best central defender on the day.

Especially in the second half, the 26-year-old covered and tracked with aplomb as Villa looked to convert two leads into a victory only to be frustrated by the Clarets.

That they couldn’t do that is to Tarkowski and partner Ben Mee’s credit.

Comfortable on the ball and able to do the meat and drink defending as well, it is easy to see why speculation followed the former Brentford man’s every move in the summer.

Now Gareth, over to you. A Three Lions call should beckon.