Burnley’s set-piece coach Pal Fjelde is in talks to join Aston Villa, replacing Austin MacPhee who moved to Chelsea last month. The 32-year-old Norwegian has been with Burnley since last year, working under Scott Parker during their 2025-26 Premier League campaign, which ended in relegation after finishing 19th with 22 points (4W-10D-24L) and a -37 goal difference. Fjelde also serves as Norway’s set-piece coach and was part of their World Cup quarter-final run this summer.
Fjelde’s potential departure follows Burnley’s relegation last season, where they struggled defensively, conceding 75 goals while scoring just 38. The Clarets ended the campaign on a poor run, drawing four of their last five matches (DDDDL) and finishing 63 points behind league leaders Arsenal. With pre-season underway, Burnley may need to reshuffle their backroom team.
Why Aston Villa want Fjelde
Villa have been without a dedicated set-piece coach since MacPhee’s sudden exit on July 23, which caught senior figures by surprise. Fjelde’s experience in Norway’s national team and his work at Burnley make him an attractive candidate. Villa’s recent coaching changes include Chema Sanz replacing Pako Ayesteran as Unai Emery’s assistant.
Fjelde’s career background
Before joining Burnley, Fjelde worked as an assistant at Danish club Viborg and played for Bryne and St Mirren before retiring in 2021. His set-piece expertise could be key for Villa as they prepare for the new Premier League season.
