Southampton vs Aston Villa: Premier League Preview
Southampton vs. Aston Villa at St. Mary’s on Saturday. The two teams are going in opposite directions. Southampton, already relegated, is looking to salvage some pride. Aston Villa is looking to strengthen their European push.
Southampton
Southampton were relegated last week after a record breaking early exit from the Premier League. The Saints have been awful this season, losing 5 of their last 6 league games and bottom of the table. Interim manager Ivan Jurić has struggled to turn it around but the home side will want to give their fans something to cheer about in their last few games.
Flynn Downes is suspended for this one but otherwise the squad is fully fit. They will line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Aaron Ramsdale in goal and Paul Onuachu up front. Wing backs Yukinari Sugawara and Kyle Walker-Peters will provide width and defensive cover.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Bednarek; Sugawara, Aribo, Ugochukwu, Walker-Peters; Dibling, Archer; Onuachu.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa are enjoying a strong season under Unai Emery and remains in contention for European qualification. Despite their midweek UEFA Champions League defeat to PSG, Villa have won four of their last five matches across all competitions. They sit seventh in the Premier League and will look to capitalize on Southampton’s vulnerabilities.
Villa have no injury concerns and are expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation. Ollie Watkins will lead the line, supported by Marcus Rashford and Leon Bailey on the wings. Morgan Rogers will provide creativity from midfield, while John McGinn and Youri Tielemans anchor the midfield.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Disasi, Digne; McGinn, Tielemans; Bailey, Rogers, Rashford; Watkins.
Key Stats
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Aston Villa have kept clean sheets in their last four matches against Southampton across all competitions.
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Aston Villa have won five of their last six meetings with Southampton.
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Southampton have lost five of their last six Premier League matches.
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Nine goals have been scored in the last six meetings between these two sides.
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Ollie Watkins is Aston Villa’s top scorer this season with 13 league goals.
Player to Watch: Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins has been one of Aston Villa’s standout performers this season, with 13 goals in the Premier League and 14 across all competitions. His ability to stretch defenses with intelligent movement and clinical finishing makes him a key threat against Southampton’s fragile backline.
Prediction
Southampton’s poor form and defensive vulnerabilities make them underdogs against a confident Aston Villa side. Expect Unai Emery’s men to dominate possession and create multiple chances en route to securing all three points.
Southampton 1-3 Aston Villa
Live Stream
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