Southampton made it three wins from four in the Premier League after a 3-1 victory away to Dean Smith’s Aston Villa as Danny Ings increased his goal tally to 11 for the season.
Up until the 20th minute neither team had taken control of the game with half-chances being squandered. Three passes were all it took to open Villa up though as Redmond’s lovely lofted ball over the top was taken well by Shane Long, whose low effort was saved well by Tom Heaton. However, Danny Ings was on hand to poke the ball into an empty net, bringing his tally up to 10 for the campaign.
Set pieces have been a problem for Villa all season, and with Tyrone Mings absent, Ralph Hasenhuttl looked to exploit Villa’s weaknesses with James Ward-Prowse as the main weapon. Jack Stephens will be thanking his fellow Englishman as in the 31st minute, Ward-Prowse’s corner was placed perfectly on to the head of Stephens whose run to the front post was completely unmatched; which gave him the time to place his header firmly into the back of the net. 2-0 was the half-time score at Villa Park which gave Smith a whole lot to talk about during the break.
Whatever was said got completely washed away as it only took the Saints five minutes after the break to score a third. Danny Ings scored his eleventh of the season, bringing him to joint second top goalscorer in the league. Ward-Prowse was at the centre of it all again as his ball to Nathan Redmond was the best part of 60-yards. There was little to no pressure on Redmond which gave him the chance to drive into the box and despite his ball in being blocked by Marvellous Nakamba, it fell straight into the path of Ings, who swiveled excellently and unleashed a lethal left-footed shot to essentially put the game to bed.
The consolation came for Villa in the 75th minute as a cleared corner fell to the feet of Jack Grealish. Grealish, who was Villa’s best player on Saturday, showcased his talent with a fantastic volley from 25-yards which rippled the side netting. Despite piling on the pressure in the final 15 minutes, Villa were unable to break the Saints down, and the result resulted in the swapping of places in the league table as the Saints climb out of the bottom three, with Aston Villa dropping in.
Slow Saints
Dean Smith was very aware of how slowly Southampton come out of the blocks and piled on the pressure very early on with Wesley Moraes and El Ghazi coming very close to scoring in the opening five minutes of the game.
However, Villa lived to regret not taking their early chances as once the Saints came into the game, they went on to dominate. When Southampton were on the ball, they moved it quickly, confidently and accurately – something that can’t be associated with the rest of their season, and something Villa could not live with it.
McGinn injury a double-blow for the Villans
John McGinn has been an essential player for Villa this year with his vision and trickery down the right hand of midfield being a huge issue for defenders. His departure in the 7th minute of the game really set Villa back though.
His replacement, Marvellous Nakamba was certainly a threat. However, his defensive capabilities were certainly lacking. His closing down or complete lack of it for Southampton’s third goal was criminal, allowing a skillful payer such as Nathan Redmond time to run at you in the box is asking for trouble. To make matters worse, his block for the cross landed straight at the feet of Danny Ings; who, in current form, was not going to miss from four yards out.
Hasenhuttl heroics
Tactically, on Saturday, Hasenhuttl got it spot on. Utilising his great crossers of the ball in JWP and Bertrand; his quick one-touch passing football drew out the Villa fullbacks which then exposed gaps, allowing for the tireless Shane Long to run into. The partnership of Ings and Long is one that has been working excellently in recent weeks and should be one that stays. Long terrifies defenders as it seems he will happily run for the full 90 minutes, giving Ings the time and space to exploit gaps created by the Irishman.
Grealish excellence
Jack Grealish has now scored seven and assisted six this season in all competitions, making this year his most successful as an Aston Villa player, which is contradictory considering they are now playing in the greatest quality league in the world.
With Villa struggling, it will beg the question of whether the local lad will stay at the club or move on to somewhere where his skills will be used more effectively. He was Villa’s most dangerous player on Saturday as every time he got the ball, he looked positive and caused the Saints backline problems.
Man of the Match
Man of the Match must go to Jack Stephens, with his speed, aerial prowess and a goal to top it off, his all-round performance was outstanding. From being Southampton’s villain last year to becoming one of their most consistent players, Stephens is surely set to stay in the Saints starting XI and keep them out of the bottom three.
