Southampton’s B team return to Premier League 2 action with a trip to Aston Villa on Friday evening.
THE MATCH
Aston Villa vs Saints
Premier League 2
Bodymoor Heath Training Ground
Friday 17th March, 6pm GMT
Saints are firmly in the midst of their league run-in, with the trip to the Midlands kicking off the first of the final four matches of the campaign.
Last time out they exited the Premier League Cup at the hands of higher division opponents Blackburn Rovers, and will be looking to return to winning ways in the league as well after defeats against Leeds United and Nottingham Forest.
After recent results, Saints find themselves third in the league table as the race for the playoffs approaches its final stages.
Aston Villa are on the tails of Saints in fourth place in the table after an impressive run of form that has seen them suffer just one defeat in eight league games.
In their last league match, they were 3-2 winners over Middlesbrough in a game that was decided before the hour mark
Goals from Chisom Afoka, Rory Wilson, and the eventual winner from the penalty spot from captain Seb Revan, helped lift Villa up into the top four.
PREVIOUS MEETING
Earlier this season, Saints were victorious at Snows Stadium against Aston Villa in the second home game of the campaign.
First half goals from Kamari Doyle and Luke Pearce secured a comfortable 2-0 victory.
COACHES PREVIEW
After Saints' exit from the PL Cup, Lee Skyrme highlighted the need for a final push of concentration for the new-look B team that has lined up recently for the league run-in.
"It's a different side now to what we had going into January, that team did really well to put the group in a great position - it's a younger side now as those lads did well to earn themselves loan moves.
"Now we have to carry the mantle and get over the line to make sure we're in those playoff spots, or be ready if the other teams mess up."
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