AVL vs SOU
Match Centre
AVL vs SOU As It Happened
Key moments so far
- Saints well beaten at Villa Park
- Watkins and Luiz score in first half; Coutinho and Ings in quick succession after interval
- Armstrong goes close with curling shot; Adams heads over from Livramento cross
- Salisu sidelined with hamstring problem; Long also misses out with back issue
FULL TIME: Aston Villa 4-0 Southampton
It's all over at Villa Park on a day to forget for Saints. Villa scored three times in a 10-minute spell either side of half time to take the game away from Ralph Hasenhüttl's side, whose seven-match unbeaten run comes to an end. Three home games to come for Saints, starting with the visit of Newcastle to St Mary's on Thursday evening.
16.53Three added minutes
We're into stoppage time at Villa Park.
Bailey shoots wide
A diagonal pass finds Bailey on the right, who attempts to lob the bouncing ball over Forster, but gets his angles wrong.
Aston Villa substitution: Emiliano Buendía replaces Philippe Coutinho Correia
A standing ovation for Coutinho from the home fans.
Into the wall
The skipper can't repeat last season's Villa Park heroics.
Free-kick in shooting range...
Former Saint Chambers brings down Adams on the edge of the box. It's half a chance for Ward-Prowse, near the left corner of the area.
Aston Villa substitution: Leon Bailey replaces Jacob Ramsey
Another substitution, as local youngster Ramsey departs.
Armstrong shoots over
An impressive driving run from his own half, but Armstrong ignores Walker-Peters to his left and fires over from the edge of the box.
Southampton substitution: Ibrahima Diallo replaces Oriol Romeu
That's Saints' final change of the day.
Yellow Card for Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Watkins senses an opportunity to score and lunges in on Forster, picking up a booking for his troubles.
Aston Villa substitution: Morgan Sanson replaces Danny Ings
That's the end of Ings's day, as Sanson comes on.
Bednarek heads wide
The ball is crossed in from the right and Bednarek is free in the box, but his header drops wide of the post.
Yellow Card for Oriol Romeu (Southampton)
Romeu goes into the book for leaving his foot in on McGinn near the touchline.
Ward-Prowse's shot blocked
Great work from Broja down the left to squeeze in a low cross picked up by Livramento, who lays the ball off for Ward-Prowse to strike but it's blocked by a defender. Saints are at least showing some fight.
Saints threaten a reply
Ward-Prowse delivers a deep corner that's headed back across goal by Stephens, forcing Young to head it over his own crossbar with Adams lurking.
Southampton substitution: Kyle Walker-Peters replaces Romain Perraud
It's a second change of the day for Saints - a straight swap at left-back.
Adams denied by Martinez
Livramento plays a clever pass in behind the defence for Adams, but Martinez makes a fine save, diving to his right to deny the former Birmingham man on his return to the Midlands.
Ings gets his goal
It's four for Villa and a nightmare start to the second half for Saints. Cash gets in down the right and cuts the ball back for Ings to make it four.
GOAL
Danny Ings (54’) | 4 – 0
Coutinho makes it three
That could be a killer blow for Saints, as Coutinho's dancing feet give him the space to shoot, and it squeezes between Forster's legs to extend Villa's lead.
GOAL
Philippe Coutinho Correia (51’) | 3 – 0
The second half is under way...
A big reaction needed!
Southampton substitution: Yan Valery replaces Mohamed Elyounoussi
It's a half-time change for Saints, who have switched to a back three.
HALF TIME: Aston Villa 2-0 Southampton
It's an uphill task from here, as goals early and late in the half from Ollie Watkins and Douglas Luiz put Villa firmly in control. In truth it could have been more - Philippe Coutinho could've had a hat-trick - but Saints have had chances of their own with Stuart Armstrong curling a shot narrowly wide and Ché Adams heading over at the far post. Big turnaround needed.
Coutinho misses a sitter
He may have assisted one, but how hasn't Coutinho scored himself? This time he races on to a Watkins flick on and goes eye to eye with Forster, but he clips his shot inches wide.
Luiz makes it two
That's rotten timing for Saints but Villa have been threatening a second and it's come just before half time. Coutinho gets in behind the defence and lays the ball on a plate for fellow Brazilian Luiz to tap in number two.
GOAL
Douglas Luiz Soares de Paulo (44’) | 2 – 0
An even better chance...
Villa should have more than one here. Watkins spins away from Livramento and cuts the ball back from the byline. Coutinho looks certain to score, but Forster makes another important stop with his legs.
Coutinho hits a rocket...
That was CLOSE. A low cross is cleared only as far as the Brazilian, who hits a thunderous first-time shot that sails inches wide of Forster's far post. Saints breathe a sigh of relief.
Perraud shoots wide
We've seen him hit them from there before... this time Perraud pulls his shot a yard wide as space opens up in front of him 25 yards from goal.
Young has a go...
The veteran cuts inside and tries to whip a shot into the far corner, but Forster is in the right place and saves comfortably.
Great chance for Adams!
Villa may have extended their lead but Saints are creating chances themselves. This is another good one, as Livramento crosses from the right, but it's just too high for Adams, who can't climb high enough to keep his header down from close range.
BIG save from Forster
Coutinho slides the ball through for Watkins, who has a golden chance to double his tally, but Forster spreads himself and makes a crucial low save.
Ramsey heads wide
That was a chance for Villa. McGinn whips in a corner from the right and Ramsey is in the right place at the far post, but the youngster can only nod the ball wide from close range.
Armstrong goes close
That's a lovely curling effort from the Scot, who was teed up after a typical burst down the right channel from Broja. Armstrong sets his sights on a left-footed curler into the far corner, but just can't get enough bend to bring it back inside the far post and it sails inches wide. Best we've seen from Saints so far.
Luiz tries his luck
The home fans are enjoying this, as Villa are on the attack again, but Luiz's shot from range is tame and easily saved by Forster.
Watkins strikes early opener
It's the worst possible start for Saints, as Villa break the deadlock inside the first 10 minutes. Ings feeds Watkins, who turns sharply away from Stephens in the box and beats Forster with a clinical finish.
GOAL
Ollie Watkins (9’) | 1 – 0
A touching moment 💛💙
Saints' travelling fans all hoisted aloft their yellow and blue scarves to pay respects to Ukraine during the minute's applause before kick-off.
A hostile reception for Ings...
The former Saint missed the reverse fixture with injury, but he's in the side today and getting the boos of the 3,000 travelling fans with every touch.
We're into the action!
We're up and running at Villa Park. Come on, Saints!
The teams are out!
Both sets of players have gathered on the centre circle to pay their respects to the people of Ukraine with a minute's applause.
14.59More of this today, Prowsey? 🎯
The skipper hit a memorable free-kick double on Saints' last visit to Villa Park. The hosts staged a late rally, but Saints' first-half blitz was enough to secure victory.
14.5014.38sali (mohammed salisu) has a little problem with his hamstring. kyle (walker-peters) stepped out on wednesday and we do not take too much risk - we have three full-backs to rotate, so this is ok."
ralph hasenhüttlon the two changes to his starting xi
Fancy seeing you here 🤩
We caught the lads arriving at Villa Park and checking out their new surroundings ahead of the warm-ups...
14.32Through to the last 🎱
It was a successful night's work for Saints in midweek, even in spite of making nine changes to the starting line-up, as West Ham were dumped out of the FA Cup in style at St Mary's.
14.29Aston Villa team confirmed 🦁
Starting XI: Martinez, Cash, Chambers, Mings, Young, Ramsey, Luiz, McGinn, Coutinho, Ings, Watkins.
Saints team confirmed 😇
Starting XI: Forster, Livramento, Bednarek, Stephens, Perraud, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, S.Armstrong, Elyounoussi, Adams, Broja.
Subs: Caballero, Valery, Walker-Peters, Diallo, Smallbone, Djenepo, Redmond, Walcott, A.Armstrong.
14.11Saints showing support for Ukraine 🇺🇦
Saints have teamed up with Main Club Partner Sportsbet.io, who have an office in Kyiv, to provide free scarves for the 3,000 travelling fans today as a sign of solidarity with Ukraine.
13.44
Remember this? 🚀
Adam Armstrong hit an unstoppable shot to win the home game against Villa this season! Who was there for this beauty? 😍
13.33🎥 LOAN SENSATION™️
We caught up with Armando Broja to discuss his impressive campaign, as the striker looks back on what he's learned from his loan spell with Saints and his hopes for the future beyond this season.
12.44Get match-ready 📋
Check out our Match Preview for all the key information ahead of kick-off, including team news and all the useful facts and stats.
12.3911.54they invest more than we do, they took our best striker for a lot of money. they are very ambitious but we also are, within the limits we have as a club. we have now a very balanced, very young, very hungry squad and it's a fantastic atmosphere to work in at the moment."
ralph hasenhüttlon comparisons between saints and villa
Hear from the boss 🎙
Check out what Ralph Hasenhüttl had to say at Thursday's pre-match press conference, as he reflected on Saints' strong recent form and the challenge ahead at Villa Park.
11.49Matchday in the Midlands 🛣
It's back to Premier League action this afternoon for in-form Southampton, who face a tricky trip to Aston Villa under the management of Steven Gerrard. Villa are 13th, five points and four places below Saints, and their form has been patchy of late, but Ralph Hasenhüttl's side are playing their best football of the season. Stay with us for all the build-up, team news, updates and live commentary!
11.46AVL vs SOU Line Ups
Aston Villa
| 1 |
Emiliano Martínez (GK)
|
|---|---|
| 5 |
Tyrone Mings (C)
|
| 2 |
Matthew Cash
|
| 18 |
Ashley Young
|
| 16 |
Calum Chambers
|
| 41 |
Jacob Ramsey
Leon Bailey (77′)
|
| 7 |
John McGinn
|
| 23 |
Philippe Coutinho
Emiliano Buendía (81′)
|
| 6 |
Douglas Luiz
|
| 20 |
Danny Ings
Morgan Sanson (71′)
|
| 11 |
Ollie Watkins
|
Substitutes
| 15 |
Bertrand Traoré |
|---|---|
| 47 |
Tim Iroegbunam |
| 10 |
Emiliano Buendía |
| 25 |
Robin Olsen |
| 45 |
Benjamin Chrisene |
| 30 |
Kortney Hause |
| 31 |
Leon Bailey |
| 58 |
Tommi O'Reilly |
| 8 |
Morgan Sanson |
Southampton
| 44 |
Fraser Forster (GK)
|
|---|---|
| 15 |
Romain Perraud
Kyle Walker-Peters (58′)
|
| 5 |
Jack Stephens
|
| 35 |
Jan Bednarek
|
| 21 |
Valentino Livramento
|
| 8 |
James Ward-Prowse (C)
|
| 17 |
Stuart Armstrong
|
| 6 |
Oriol Romeu
Ibrahima Diallo (77′)
|
| 24 |
Mohamed Elyounoussi
Yan Valery (45′)
|
| 10 |
Che Adams
|
| 18 |
Armando Broja
|
Substitutes
| 13 |
Willy Caballero |
|---|---|
| 19 |
Moussa Djenepo |
| 43 |
Yan Valery |
| 20 |
William Smallbone |
| 27 |
Ibrahima Diallo |
| 32 |
Theo Walcott |
| 2 |
Kyle Walker-Peters |
| 11 |
Nathan Redmond |
| 9 |
Adam Armstrong |
AVL vs SOU Match Stats
Head to Head Stats
-
Possession (%)3862
-
Shots1411
-
Shots on target91
-
Corners47
-
Passes Complete261469
