SOU vs AVL
Match Centre
SOU vs AVL As It Happened
Key moments so far
- Southampton claim victory over Aston Villa to secure back-to-back PL wins
- Adam Armstrong fires Saints in front after just three minutes at St Mary's
- Victory sees Saints move to twelfth in the Premier League
- HALF TIME: Saints 1-0 Aston Villa
FULL TIME: Saints 1-0 Aston Villa 😇
The definition of a game of two-halves, Aston Villa truly came out fighting in the second but couldn't quite monopolise in front of goal. A huge three points for Saints who head into the international break with back-to-back wins. Adam Armstrong's goal was the only difference between the two sides as the referee blew the full time whistle. Come on you Saints!
McGinn launches goalwards
McGinn tries his luck from range but Lyanco is there to block for Saints.
Yellow Card for Mohammed Salisu (Southampton)
Salisu is the latest to find himself in the book,
Seven additional minutes ...
Seven. Minutes.
Another chance for Villa
After a short break in play for Bednarek to receive treatment for a head injury, Villa restart the action and launch the ball into a packed penalty area. A lot of fumbling ensues but nobody is there to convert for the visitors.
Villa still fighting
Hesitation from the Saints defence on the half-way line sees Villa with the chance to head goalwards, eventually it's Watkins that releases a shot towards goal but to the relief of the Saints fans, it bounces low and wide.
Nice skill from Saints
A lovely back heel from Adams who finds the path of Broja, he fails to release the ball but it was a wonderful display of skill from the forward.
Southampton substitution: Armando Broja replaces Adam Armstrong
The goalscorer comes off as Broja is introduced to the game with ten minutes left to play.
Aston Villa substitution: Keinan Davis replaces Anwar El Ghazi
El Ghazi, who is already on a yellow card, is replaced by Davis with 12 minutes of the 90 left to play.
Southampton substitution: Ibrahima Diallo replaces Mohamed Elyounoussi
Hasenhüttl makes his second substitution of the evening.
McCarthy slips up
Nearly a catastrophic moment from McCarthy. He looks to clear the ball from his line but it heads straight into the path of a Villa player but he can't get it under control. A huge sigh of relief.
Saints hit the counter
Ward-Prowse finds Elyounoussi in space on the counter, he has Armstrong in support but Bailey gets there just in time to recover the ball for the visitors.
Aston Villa substitution: Cameron Archer replaces Emiliano Buendía
Archer comes on for an injured Buendia.
SAINTS CLOSE TO A SECOND
Inches away for Saints who nearly double their lead at St Mary's. Ward-Prowse fires in a delightful ball from the free-kick and finds the head of Ché Adams - his shot is on target but Martinez just gets his fingertips to it as it goes behind for a corner.
Yellow Card for Axel Tuanzebe (Aston Villa)
Tuanzebe in the books for a challenge on Adam Armstrong.
Bold from Bailey
Bailey stands over the free-kick with plenty of men in the box but he aims for goal and his shot flies well over the crossbar.
Aston Villa substitution: Jacob Ramsey replaces Marvelous Nakamba
First substitution of the night for Dean Smith.
Dangerous free-kick for Villa
It's a poor clearance from Salisu who sends the ball straight back into the path of Cash, he works his way forward but is brought down by Romeu and Villa are awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position.
Yellow Card for Oriol Romeu (Southampton)
Romeu gets a booking for a challenge on Cash.
Watkins hits the side netting
Buendia cuts in a wonderful reverse pass to Watkins who charges towards goal but it's a tight angle and his shot bounces off the side netting.
Better from Saints
It seems as though Saints have weathered the storm after a blistering start to the second-half from Villa.
Southampton substitution: Lyanco replaces Stuart Armstrong
Ralph Hasenhüttl makes his first substitution of the game and it's a strong defensive move from the boss.
Villa looking dangerous
Buendia cuts the ball back to Mings on the edge of the area, his shot looks on target but it's deflected by Ward-Prowse as it flies over the crossbar and behind for a Villa corner.
Buendia strikes wide
Villa are a different side after the break, this time Buendia fires a shot towards goal from the edge of the box but it bounces just wide of McCarthy's goal.
Sloppy from Saints
Ward-Prowse loses the ball to Watkins who quickly finds the feet of Buendia but his shot fires wide.
El Ghazi comes close
El Ghazi launches an effort towards goal from 20-yards-out but McCarthy just gets his fingertips too it to nudge it over the post and behind for a corner.
Villa starting the second strong
Immediate chance from Villa as they search for a way back into this game. El Ghazi whips in a beautiful ball to Watkins but it's a touch too high and the ball eventually gets put behind for a corner.
Back under way 😇
Adam Armstrong gets things started in the second half. Come on you Saints!
HALF TIME: Saints 1-0 Aston Villa 😇
Friday night action has surpassed all expectations so far at St Mary's as an Adam Armstrong shot launched Saints ahead after just three minutes of play. It's been an energetic first-half for Saints who have looked to dominate much of the action. Big second-half on the way!
Saints caught sleeping
Villa nearly caught Saints sleeping there. Saints initially clear the threat from Villa who work the ball into the area but a moment of confusion sees no Saints players head to retrieve the ball.
Romeu effort goes over
Adams rolls the ball back to Romeu who launches a powerful shot towards Martinez but it flies over the crossbar and into the stands.
Saints dominant
A lovely passage of play for Saints who look confident in control of the ball. That being said, Villa are giving the ball away a little too easily.
Ward-Prowse comes close
Ward-Prowse is the latest man to fire a shot goalwards, it's got a lot of power behind it but Martinez' outstretched arm sends the ball behind for another Saints corner.
Excellent from Adams
Excellent work from Adams as he picks up the ball and charges down the pitch, he finds Livramento on the right who releases the ball into the box but it bounces off of the Villa defence and behind for a corner.
Villa looking for an equaliser
Bailey sends a ball into the box searching for Watkins but Bednarek is there to clear for Saints as the ball goes behind for a Villa corner.
Slick footwork from El Ghazi
Just moments after a call for a second yellow for bringing down Livramento, El Ghazi displays some superb footwork to work his way past Livramento and into the corner of the box. He releases a shot towards goal but his curling effort bounces wide of McCarthy and the post.
Ward-Prowse sharp as ever from the set-piece
Saints continue to maintain pressure as they look to extend their lead over Aston Villa. Ward-Prowse looking increasingly dangerous as he whips in the ball from a corner. Excellent start from the hosts.
Bailey tries his luck
The opening 20 minutes have been largely dominated by Saints here at St Mary's. Villa finally see some of the ball and head towards goal as Bailey tries his luck from distance.
Another opportunity for Saints
Romeu sends a lovely ball to Walker-Peters on the left, he releases Elyounoussi but Mings is there to make a vital interception for the visitors.
Saints looking dangerous
Another Ward-Prowse corner is hauled into this box, this time it's Salisu who meets the end of it but his effort goes wide.
Yellow Card for Anwar El Ghazi (Aston Villa)
El Ghazi finds himself in the book for a late challenge on Livramento.
These guys ❤️
Stuart Armstrong fires over
James Ward-Prowse loops in the ball from the corner before finding the head of Watkins but he can only clear as far as Stuart Armstrong who is unmarked at the far post. The Scot can't get the ball under control and his effort bounces well over.
Villa looking for an opening
Two attempts in quick succession for Villa who search for a way back into this game. McGinn makes a good connection with the ball but his shot fires over. It's been a blistering start from Saints
ADAM ARMSTRONG YOU BEAUTY
An absolutely phenomenal strike from Adam Armstrong who puts Saints ahead after just three minutes of action at St Mary's. It looked as though Saints had lost possession but Ward-Prowse recovers the ball in the centre of midfield and launches it forward, it bounces off of Cash and straight into the path of Adam Armstrong who fires a sublime shot into the back of the net.
GOOOAL!!!
Adam Armstrong (2’) | 1 – 0
And we're off 🚀
The visitors gets us under way at St Mary's.
Friday night's at St Mary's ❤️
19.50
Aston Villa line-up confirmed
Starting XI: Martinez, Cash, Tuanzebe, Mings, Targett, McGinn, Nakamba, Bailey, Buendia, El Ghazi, Watkins.
Subs: Steer, Hause, A Young, J Ramsey, Carney Chukwuemeka, A Ramsey, Philogne-Bidace, Archer, Davis.
19.26😇📸
A busy week of preparations at Staplewood as Ralph Hasenhüttl's men look to make it two on the bounce ✌️
19.24SAINTS TEAM CONFIRMED 😇
Starting XI: McCarthy, Livramento, Bednarek, Salisu, Walker-Peters, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, S Armstrong, Elyounoussi, Adams, A Armstrong.
Subs: Forster, Lyanco, Perraud, Diallo, Djenepo, Tella, Walcott, Long, Broja.
19.05
Watford 0-1 Saints 😇
Saints head into tonight's clash full of energy as they claimed victory on the road at Watford last time out. Can they maintain momentum in front of a St Mary's crowd under the lights?
18.1818.00there is no panic, we're in control and determined to put things right. there has been a reaction from all the players because they are disappointed with the results."
dean smithon his side looking to bounce back
STAT ATTACK 🔢
James Ward-Prowse has been involved in more Premier League goals against Aston Villa than he has versus any other side. [2 goals, 3 assists]
17.4517.32it's important that we know that games against teams that are struggling a little are even more difficult because they only need a few positive moments to get in a good rhythm."
ralph hasenhüttlon facing aston villa
MATCH PACK: Saints vs Villa
Find out all the pre-match stats and facts ahead of tonight's kick off with our Match Pack.
17.16FLASHBACK: Aston Villa 3-4 Saints
Taking it back to November 2020 when Saints came out of top of a seven goal thriller at Villa Park. More of the same tonight?
17.06
Welcome back to St Mary's 😇
Southampton return to Premier League action as they take on Aston Villa at St Mary's. Saints go in search of consecutive wins after claiming victory over Watford on the road last week while Villa will be looking to bounce back from their 4-1 defeat to West Ham at Villa Park. Can Saints claim victory under the lights?
09.20SOU vs AVL Line Ups
Southampton
| 1 |
Alex McCarthy (GK)
|
|---|---|
| 22 |
Mohammed Salisu
|
| 2 |
Kyle Walker-Peters
|
| 21 |
Valentino Livramento
|
| 35 |
Jan Bednarek
|
| 8 |
James Ward-Prowse (C)
|
| 24 |
Mohamed Elyounoussi
Ibrahima Diallo (76′)
|
| 6 |
Oriol Romeu
|
| 17 |
Stuart Armstrong
Lyanco (56′)
|
| 9 |
Adam Armstrong
Armando Broja (81′)
|
| 10 |
Che Adams
|
Substitutes
| 18 |
Armando Broja |
|---|---|
| 44 |
Fraser Forster |
| 23 |
Nathan Tella |
| 27 |
Ibrahima Diallo |
| 7 |
Shane Long |
| 4 |
Lyanco |
| 15 |
Romain Perraud |
| 32 |
Theo Walcott |
| 19 |
Moussa Djenepo |
Aston Villa
| 1 |
Emiliano Martínez (GK)
|
|---|---|
| 2 |
Matthew Cash
|
| 3 |
Matt Targett
|
| 16 |
Axel Tuanzebe
|
| 5 |
Tyrone Mings (C)
|
| 10 |
Emiliano Buendía
Cameron Archer (71′)
|
| 21 |
Anwar El Ghazi
Keinan Davis (79′)
|
| 19 |
Marvelous Nakamba
Jacob Ramsey (63′)
|
| 31 |
Leon Bailey
|
| 7 |
John McGinn
|
| 11 |
Ollie Watkins
|
Substitutes
| 30 |
Kortney Hause |
|---|---|
| 40 |
Aaron Ramsey |
| 18 |
Ashley Young |
| 39 |
Keinan Davis |
| 32 |
Jaden Philogene-Bidace |
| 33 |
Carney Chukwuemeka |
| 41 |
Jacob Ramsey |
| 35 |
Cameron Archer |
| 12 |
Jed Steer |
SOU vs AVL Match Stats
Head to Head Stats
-
Possession (%)5644
-
Shots914
-
Shots on target33
-
Corners108
-
Passes Complete347234
