THE Clarets have got two massive games coming up in the next week at Turf Moor. And these matches could well define the season.

The three points at Stoke City were a huge boost to the side and the back-to-back wins have been a big lift to the players, the staff and the club.

It is great for the fans. The town has come alive in recent weeks and everybody I speak to cannot wait for tomorrow now and getting back to Turf Moor and going for another three points.

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The two wins have given us great momentum and it is important we try to carry that on with good performances. Certainly if we play to our best then the games against Aston Villa and Newcastle United are winnable.

One thing the last few weeks has proved is that there is competition for places. Ashley Barnes came in against Hull City and scored and then Michael Kightly came in last week for Scott Arfield and was terrific at Stoke. It must give Sean Dyche a nice selection headache.

After finishing my time with Burnley I signed for Aston Villa and I have got good memories of playing there.

It is a massive club but also a good club with good people around it.

They were down in the Third Division when I signed for them, which was too low for a club like Villa.

Doug Ellis was the chairman when I signed. He was a good man and a character. While I was at Villa I won the Midlands footballer-of-the-year prize once and I was presented with the trophy on the pitch before a game.

Dougie was there to hand it over and he whispered to me: “Don’t forget you’ve only got that because of me.” He was a larger-than-life chairman but he had the club’s best interests at heart.

They have had a bit of a tough run of things recently but it will not be an easy game for Burnley. There are no easy games in the Premier League.