MATT Lowton insists Burnley will live up to the increased expectations on them tonight as Turf Moor prepares to host European football for the first time since 1967.

The Clarets made their European return at Pittodrie a week ago and having returned south with a 1-1 draw they will seek to finish the job against Aberdeen.

Burnley will be favourites to secure Battle of Britain supremacy and set up a Europa League third qualifying round tie with Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir.

But the tie remains on a knife edge and Lowton isn't expecting an easy ride at Turf Moor.

“We know they’ll be bang up for it again and make it difficult for us to play," he said of the threat posed by the Dons.

"They hit us on the counter well last week, so it’s going to be another difficult game.

"The expectation is growing on us all the time. The last few seasons have built that up. It’s up to us to go out and live up to them."

It's been a memorable week for Lowton who signed a new three-year contract after making his European debut up in Scotland last Thursday.

Having fought for a seventh place finish in the Premier League last season, it was an occasion he was determined to savour.

"The atmosphere was very good. As soon as we came out you could tell the fans and players were right up for it," the 29-year-old said.

"We had a lot of the ball but didn’t really create enough chances on our part. That’s what we’re looking to do tonight, create more clear-cut chances.

"We had a walk round the pitch before during the day and got used to being in Europe, which is massive for the club and myself."

One area of difference in the Europea League is the presence of European referees, with German official Daniel Siebert giving Aberdeen a soft penalty in the first leg, while the officials at Turf Moor tonight will be Italian.

"The European referees seem to give some softer decisions and that’s one thing you have to get used to quickly. They’re a lot different to the referees we’re used to," added Lowton.

"I don’t know what he’s given it for and I’ve not seen it back. But that’s his version of it – it was up to us to move on and get back in the game."

The draw at Pittodrie, which Burnley only secured through Sam Vokes' equaliser 10 minutes from time, may have surprised many, but Lowton insists the quality of Aberdeen was no shock to the Clarets.

"They’re very well set up and made it hard for us to break down," he said. "It’s like what we’ve done to a lot of teams.

"We know they’ll do a similar thing tonight. I wouldn’t say we were surprised – they lived up to what we expected them to do.

"We’re under no illusions it’s going to be a tough tie and hopefully we can come out on top.

"We’re going into the game with the away goal, so they have to come out and score. Our place is a tough place to come for anyone, so similar pressure is on both teams to get through to the next round."