Aston Villa beat Southampton 1-0 on Saturday as Jhon Duran made it back-to-back Premier League wins for the hosts.
WATCH - Full replay
Unai Emery’s side took the lead in the first half as Duran bullied the Saints defense and finished, and that was the only goal of the game.
Southampton didn’t have a shot on target as Russell Martin’s side dug in but never really looked like equalizing and Villa spurned several glorious chances late on to put the result beyond doubt.
The win moves Villa on to 25 points for the season as they’re back in the top four hunt, while Saints remain on five points and are bottom of the table.
Top four hopefuls Villa go back to basics
Aston Villa lost their way in a recent eight-game winless run in all competitions but this win against Southampton was textbook Unai Emery. It wasn’t pretty and they did give the ball away in dangerous areas at times in front of their own defense. But they never really gave Southampton a sniff of scoring. Saints didn’t have a shot on target and aside from a few bursts on the counter, they never looked like scoring. The stats show Villa outran Saints by some distance and now that injuries have eased and Emery can rotate his side with players who are almost fully match-fit, you can see the difference. In the howling wind and driving rain at Villa Park this wasn’t a pretty Villa performance. But it didn’t need to be. That is what Emery’s been so good at during his career and what Villa did so well last season in their run to Champions League qualification. McGinn and Kamara set the tone as they never stopped hunting and dug deep to do the basics well. Villa are now back in the top four hunt after back-to-back home wins this week and although things aren’t perfect and flowing in attack, they’re showing signs of once again being robust and tough to play against.
Aston Villa vs Southampton player ratings (via FotMob.com)
What’s next?
Aston Villa travel RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, then head to Nottingham Forest next Saturday. Southampton host Tottenham next Sunday.
Aston Villa vs Southampton score: 1-0
Duran 24'
Aston Villa vs Southampton stats
Possession: 47-53
Shots: 18-4
Shots on target: 5-0
Expected Goals: 2.35-0.44
Touches in opposition box: 41-22
Aston Villa vs Southampton live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Armstrong almost gets on the end of a cross
That was the chance Southampton waited for. A cross from the left almost finds Armstrong at the near post but he can’t get enough on his effort. Villa then can’t make the most of another counter. Seconds to go...
Watkins should finish the game
Saints are pushing for an equalizer and Villa break. Watkins is clean through but tries to play in Barkley instead and his shot is blocked by Wood. Saints clear it for a corner and are somehow still only 1-0 down.
Amo-Ameyaw whips in a great cross
He’s only been on the pitch for a few seconds but teenager Sam Amo-Ameyaw whips in a brilliant cross that almost finds Armstrong. Martinez gratefully saves it but Villa are dropping deeper and deeper.
Archer denied on the break
Saints break from a Villa corner with Dibling leading the charge. He plays in Archer but Kamara has tracked ball all the way and blocks the shot from Archer. Really good defending.
Watkins almost scores straight away
Villa back a quadruple sub with Watkins, Philogene, Digne and Barkley on. Bailey came off with an injury, while Duran, Maatsen and Tielemans are the other players who have departed. A fast Villa counter sees Watkins in at the back post but his shot is deflected wide.
Konsa heads away
Great play from Walker-Peters and he clips a dangerous cross to the back post but Konsa clears over his own bar and out for a corner.
Aribo on for Bree at half time
Saints have made a change at the break with Aribo on for Bree. Aribo was excellent and scored against Chelsea in midweek, but ran everywhere with Saints down to 10 men for a large chunk of that game. They’ve gone to a back four with Walker-Peters at right back and Manning at left back. Aribo, Downes and Fernandes are in midfield with Dibling, Armstrong and Archer in attack. 4-3-3 for Saints now.
Half time: Aston Villa 1-0 Southampton
Saints have had more of the ball and forced Villa in to plenty of mistakes, but Villa have the lead as Duran raced free and finished. Tight game but Saints are going to have to go for it at some point.
Martinez with a bad giveaway
Villa keep giving the ball away around their own box. This time it is Martinez who gives it back to Southampton. But Dibling can’t get the ball out of his feet quick enough and his pass comes to nothing.
Villa are looking dangerous now
That goal has just settled Villa down and Maatsen surges forward from left back and crosses for Duran. His effort is deflected wide and it is all Villa now.
Duran bullies Saints and finishes - Aston Villa 1-0 Southampton
A long ball forward sees Harwood-Bellis make a hash of it, as Duran shrugs off Wood and then curls home. Villa lead.
Lumley almost caught out again
Southampton once again play out from the back and it goes wrong with a poor pass from Lumley. Walker-Peters gets in a big block to stop the shot. Saints get away with it.
Big chance for Archer
Southampton have won the ball back a few times and they did so in a dangerous area. Downes plays in Archer but his low shot is blocked. Really good stuff from the bottom of the table side. Villa have to be careful at the back.
Rogers has his shot blocked
Villa pounce on a loose ball and Rogers has a pop but Harwood-Bellis blocks it well.
Saints come so close to taking the lead
After some early Villa pressure, Southampton worked the ball well and it fell to Ryan Manning in the box. His low shot went through a crowd and was deflected wide with Emiliano Martinez diving down low. Very promising from Saints.
Aston Villa lineup
Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Tielemans; Bailey, Rogers; McGinn; Duran
Southampton lineup
Lumley; Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Walker-Peters; Fernandes, Downes, Manning; Dibling; Archer, Armstrong
How to watch Aston Villa vs Southampton live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET, Saturday (December 7)
Venue: Villa Park — Birmingham
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Watch live on Peacock
Aston Villa team news, focus
OUT: Jacob Ramsey (thigh)
Southampton team news, focus
OUT: Gavin Bazunu (Achilles), Ross Stewart (muscular), William Smallbone (thigh), Aaron Ramsdale (finger), Adam Lallana (thigh), Jack Stephens (suspension), Paul Onuachu (undisclosed), Juan Larios (unspecified), Jan Bednarek (knee)
Aston Villa vs Southampton prediction
All signs point to a big home win and Villa will aim to blow Saints away early. The visitors may get a goal on the counter, but expect Villa to have way too much for a Saints struggling for confidence. Aston Villa 3-1 Southampton.
Aston Villa vs Southampton preview
Unai Emery’s side were without a win in eight games in all competitions but beat Brentford 3-1 at home on Wednesday to get back to winning ways. Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins both scored and Villa looked sharper and were more clinical than they’ve been in recent weeks as they were 3-0 up just after the half hour mark. Despite their recent poor form, Villa are still in the hunt for a top four finish.
Southampton sit rock bottom of the Premier League table and are now seven points from safety after their 5-1 hammering at home to Chelsea on Wednesday. Once again they made so many silly defensive errors and even though Russell Martin’s side had over 10 players unavailable for that Chelsea defeat due to injury and suspension, they still have to hang in games better. Unless they pull off a few shock results between now and Christmas, Saints will soon be cut adrift.
