Aston Villa 1-0 Southampton: Duran the hero against gutsy Saints

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 facet took the lead within the first half as Duran bullied the Saints protection and completed, and that was the one aim of the sport.

Southampton didn’t have a shot on track as Russell Martin’s facet dug in however by no means actually regarded like equalizing and Villa spurned a number of wonderful probabilities late on to place the end result past doubt.

The win strikes Villa on to 25 factors for the season as they’re again within the high 4 hunt, whereas Saints stay on 5 factors and are backside of the desk.

Prime 4 hopefuls Villa return to fundamentals

Aston Villa misplaced their means in a current eight-game winless run in all competitions however this win towards Southampton was textbook Unai Emery. It wasn’t fairly and so they did give the ball away in harmful areas at occasions in entrance of their very own protection. However they by no means actually gave Southampton a sniff of scoring. Saints didn’t have a shot on track and except for a number of bursts on the counter, they by no means regarded like scoring. The stats present Villa outran Saints by a ways and now that accidents have eased and Emery can rotate his facet with gamers who’re virtually totally match-fit, you possibly can see the distinction. Within the howling wind and driving rain at Villa Park this wasn’t a reasonably Villa efficiency. But it surely didn’t have to be. That’s what Emery’s been so good at throughout his profession and what Villa did so effectively final season of their run to Champions League qualification. McGinn and Kamara set the tone as they by no means stopped looking and dug deep to do the fundamentals effectively. Villa at the moment are again within the high 4 hunt after back-to-back residence wins this week and though issues aren’t excellent and flowing in assault, they’re exhibiting indicators of as soon as once more being strong and hard to play towards.

Aston Villa vs Southampton participant rankings (through FotMob.com)

What’s subsequent?

Aston Villa journey RB Leipzig within the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, then head to Nottingham Forest subsequent Saturday. Southampton host Tottenham subsequent Sunday.

Aston Villa vs Southampton rating: 1-0

Duran 24′

Aston Villa vs Southampton stats

Possession: 47-53
Pictures: 18-4
Pictures on track: 5-0
Anticipated Objectives: 2.35-0.44
Touches in opposition field: 41-22

Aston Villa vs Southampton dwell updates! – By Joe Prince-Wright

Armstrong virtually will get on the tip of a cross

That was the possibility Southampton waited for. A cross from the left virtually finds Armstrong on the close to publish however he can’t get sufficient on his effort. Villa then can’t take advantage of one other counter. Seconds to go…

Watkins ought to end the sport

Saints are pushing for an equalizer and Villa break. Watkins is clear by however tries to play in Barkley as an alternative and his shot is blocked by Wooden. Saints clear it for a nook and are someway nonetheless solely 1-0 down.

Amo-Ameyaw whips in a terrific cross

He’s solely been on the pitch for a number of seconds however teenager Sam Amo-Ameyaw whips in a superb cross that just about finds Armstrong. Martinez gratefully saves it however Villa are dropping deeper and deeper.

Archer denied on the break

Saints break from a Villa nook with Dibling main the cost. He performs in Archer however Kamara has tracked ball all the best way and blocks the shot from Archer. Actually good defending.

Watkins virtually scores right away

Villa again a quadruple sub with Watkins, Philogene, Digne and Barkley on. Bailey got here off with an damage, whereas Duran, Maatsen and Tielemans are the opposite gamers who’ve departed. A quick Villa counter sees Watkins in on the again publish however his shot is deflected large.

Konsa heads away

Nice play from Walker-Peters and he clips a harmful cross to the again publish however Konsa clears over his personal bar and out for a nook.

Aribo on for Bree at half time

Saints have made a change on the break with Aribo on for Bree. Aribo was glorious and scored towards Chelsea in midweek, however ran all over the place with Saints all the way down to 10 males for a big chunk of that sport. They’ve gone to a again 4 with Walker-Peters at proper again and Manning at left again. Aribo, Downes and Fernandes are in midfield with Dibling, Armstrong and Archer in assault. 4-3-3 for Saints now.

Half time: Aston Villa 1-0 Southampton

Saints have had extra of the ball and compelled Villa in to loads of errors, however Villa have the lead as Duran raced free and completed. Tight sport however Saints are going to must go for it sooner or later.

Martinez with a nasty giveaway

Villa maintain giving the ball away round their very own field. This time it’s Martinez who provides it again to Southampton. However Dibling can’t get the ball out of his toes fast sufficient and his go involves nothing.

Villa are trying harmful now

That aim has simply settled Villa down and Maatsen surges ahead from left again and crosses for Duran. His effort is deflected large and it’s all Villa now.

Duran bullies Saints and finishes – Aston Villa 1-0 Southampton

An extended ball ahead sees Harwood-Bellis make a hash of it, as Duran shrugs off Wooden after which curls residence. Villa lead.

Lumley virtually caught out once more

Southampton as soon as once more play out from the again and it goes flawed with a poor go from Lumley. Walker-Peters will get in a giant block to cease the shot. Saints get away with it.

Huge probability for Archer

Southampton have received the ball again a number of occasions and so they did so in a harmful space. Downes performs in Archer however his low shot is blocked. Actually great things from the underside of the desk facet. Villa must watch out on the again.

Rogers has his shot blocked

Villa pounce on a free ball and Rogers has a pop however Harwood-Bellis blocks it effectively.

Saints come so near taking the lead

After some early Villa stress, Southampton labored the ball effectively and it fell to Ryan Manning within the field. His low shot went by a crowd and was deflected large 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, Wooden, Walker-Peters; Fernandes, Downes, Manning; Dibling; Archer, Armstrong

Methods to watch Aston Villa vs Southampton dwell, stream hyperlink and begin time

Kick off time: 10am ET, Saturday (December 7)

Venue: Villa Park — Birmingham

TV Channel: Peacock

Streaming: Watch dwell on Peacock

Aston Villa crew information, focus

OUT: Jacob Ramsey (thigh)

Southampton crew information, 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 indicators level to a giant residence win and Villa will intention to blow Saints away early. The guests could get a aim on the counter, however anticipate Villa to have means an excessive amount of for a Saints struggling for confidence. Aston Villa 3-1 Southampton.

Aston Villa vs Southampton preview

Unai Emery’s facet have been with no win in eight video games in all competitions however beat Brentford 3-1 at residence on Wednesday to get again to successful methods. Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins each scored and Villa regarded sharper and have been extra scientific than they’ve been in current weeks as they have been 3-0 up simply after the half hour mark. Regardless of their current poor type, Villa are nonetheless within the hunt for a high 4 end.

Southampton sit all-time low of the Premier League desk and at the moment are seven factors from security after their 5-1 hammering at residence to Chelsea on Wednesday. As soon as once more they made so many foolish defensive errors and despite the fact that Russell Martin’s facet had over 10 gamers unavailable for that Chelsea defeat as a consequence of damage and suspension, they nonetheless have to hold in video games higher. Except they pull off a number of shock outcomes between now and Christmas, Saints will quickly be minimize adrift.