Phil Bardsley is confident Burnley can hit back against Aston Villa on New Year’s Day after a double disappointment over the festive period.

The Clarets went down 2-0 at home to Manchester United on Saturday evening, 48 hours after the 1-0 defeat at Everton on Boxing Day.

Bardsley managed the only shot on target against his former club, the right back forcing a good second-half save from David De Gea as Sean Dyche’s side went in search of a point.

It wasn’t to be on another flat night in front of goal, Burnley now having scored just three times in their last seven games.

But Bardsley, currently ahead of Matt Lowton in the pecking order at Turf Moor, was keen to look at the bigger picture, with the Clarets in a far healthier position, 13th, than they were 12 months ago when a tough battle against the drop looked on the cards.

"We are trying to do the right things," the 34-year-old United youth graduate said.

"We are miles ahead in the points' tally to where we were last season and it's something to build on.

"We've got a massive game on Wednesday (against Aston Villa) to look forward to. We'll recover now and go again.

"This is what this time of year is all about. The games come thick and fast and we have to prepare ourselves properly.

“It's a protein shake instead of a pint!"