Ollie Watkins’ second-half header sealed back-to-back wins below Unai Emery for the primary time as they secured a 1-0 win over Southampton at St Mary’s.
Hopes might need been excessive amongst dwelling followers of breaking out of the relegation zone after their staff’s decisive victory over fellow strugglers Everton final weekend, however the hosts managed only one shot throughout a tepid first half.
A nine-minute delay attributable to a drone flying over the stadium simply earlier than half-time was maybe probably the most amusing factor to occur throughout the first 45 minutes, however issues lastly appeared to choose up when James Ward-Prowse’s shot was deflected. Emiliano Martinez places Southampton forward on the hour mark.
Nonetheless, referee Michael Salisbury disallowed the purpose for a easy foul on Jacob Ramsey by Mohamed Elyounoussi after the VAR suggested him to overview the incident, and Villa rubbed salt into the Saints’ wounds when Watkins nodded in to Douglas Luiz’s free-kick within the 77th minute. respectively within the English Premier League.
The Saints’ momentum ended with Villa and Farr
Referee Michael Salisbury stopped the match attributable to a drone flying over the sphere
Nathan Jones had lastly stepped up and coached Southampton within the two weeks earlier than the Villa go to after overseeing three successive wins in three totally different competitions, however that momentum pale throughout a irritating afternoon towards Emery’s facet.
The guests had greater than 70 per cent possession throughout a dominant first half, however went into the second half goalless due to some wasted ending, with Ramsey firing straight at Gavin Bazuno when he got here face-to-face with the Saints goalkeeper, earlier than Leon Bailey chipped away. bounce over the bar.
Ramsey was then unlucky sufficient to attain a penalty after being stopped from behind by Mohamed Salisu, whereas the attacking Saints’ solely menace prevented Kyle Walker-Peters from being offside after he slotted the ball into the online.
A drone flew over the pitch after which noticed the gamers return to the dressing rooms, however Villa stayed within the lead as soon as they returned, with Pele losing once more, firing effectively at Bazuno after the goalkeeper gifted the ball to the guests.
However Southampton thought they’d moved up towards the run of play when Ward-Prowse scored for the fifth time of their final 5 league matches, solely to have the captain’s celebrations minimize quick when the referee suggested Salisbury to take one other have a look at the build-up. -above.
The official noticed a push in Ramsey’s again by Elyounoussi – and issues went from dangerous to worse for Jones and his facet when he left Watkins unmarked in the course of the realm to drive in a direct free-kick from Luiz to proceed Villa’s nice type below Emery.
Opta Stats: The Saints continues the depressing dwelling type
Nathan Jones has misplaced all three of his Premier League matches for Southampton
- Aston Villa have received three consecutive away matches within the Premier League for the primary time since November 2020. They’ve received simply three of their earlier 15 matches on the highway.
- Southampton misplaced 4 consecutive matches at dwelling within the English Premier League for the primary time since November 2019, whereas the Saints scored fewer factors (6) at dwelling than another staff within the first 4 ranges of the English Premier League this season.
- Aston Villa received three consecutive Premier League matches towards Southampton for the primary time in April 1999.
- That is the final in a season (20 matches) Southampton completed a day backside of the Premier League desk because the final day of the 2004-05 season, after they suffered their solely relegation from the competitors to this point.
- Ollie Watkins has been concerned in 40 Premier League targets for Aston Villa, scoring 29 targets and helping 11.
What’s Subsequent?
Southampton Flip their consideration away from the Premier League with a trio of cup matches to take care of. saints host Newcastle Tuesday within the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals, reside on Sky Sports activities – 8pm.
Tuesday, January 24, 7:00 PM
It begins at 8:00 pm
Southampton then hosts the Championship staff Blackpool Within the fourth spherical of the FA Cup subsequent Saturday – beginning at 3 pm – earlier than the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday, January 31, broadcast reside on Sky Sports activities. The beginning of the match is 8 pm.
Their subsequent Premier League match will likely be at 3pm ET Brentford On Saturday, February 4th.
Aston VillaTheir exit within the third spherical of the FA Cup means they’ll have the following weekend. Their subsequent Premier League match is the Midlands derby at dwelling lester On Saturday, February 4 – 3 p.m.