At A Glance
Aston Villa are looking to put a tough October behind them when they kick-off a new month at St Mary’s on Friday night.
Last month consisted of defeats against Tottenham Hotspur, Wolves, Arsenal and West Ham United, so Dean Smith’s men will be determined to start November with a win against Southampton.
Recent form has seen Villa slide to 15th in the Premier League table, one point and one place below the Saints, who they beat 1-0 in this fixture last season.
Ralph Hasenhüttl’s team are enjoying a three-game unbeaten run in the top-flight, securing wins against Leeds United (1-0) and Watford (0-1) and a draw against Burnley (2-2).
The Saints have endured mixed fortunes on home turf this term, winning one, drawing three and losing one of their five league matches at St Mary’s.
Standout Stats
Southampton have lost just one of their last nine Premier League meetings with Aston Villa (W5 D3), though it was in this exact fixture in their last such meeting in January (0-1).
Aston Villa are looking to win consecutive away league games against Southampton for the first time since a run of four between 1995 and 1998.
The home side has won just one of the last six Premier League meetings between Southampton and Aston Villa (D1 L4), with Saints winning 2-0 in February 2020.
Aston Villa have won none of their last 13 away top-flight matches played on a Friday (D3 L10) – their last away Friday win was in April 1950, winning 4-1 at Charlton Athletic with goals from Con Martin, Billy Goffin, Trevor Ford and Johnny Dixon.
Southampton have taken seven points from their last three Premier League matches (W2 D1), as many as in their previous 10 games combined (W1 D4 L5).
Aston Villa have lost each of their last four Premier League games, last having a longer losing run in the competition in their relegation campaign of 2015-16 (11).
Aston Villa have lost each of their last four Premier League games, but have scored in each defeat. Only four clubs have ever lost five in a row in the competition while finding the net each time – Sunderland in 2005-06, Blackpool in 2010-11, QPR in 2014-15 and Crystal Palace in 2016-17.
Aston Villa striker Danny Ings has scored in each of his last four Premier League games against sides he’s previously played for in the competition (3 vs Burnley, 1 vs Liverpool) – no player has ever scored in five consecutive such games in Premier League history.
Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse has been involved in more Premier League goals against Aston Villa than he has vs any other side in the competition (5 – 2 goals, 3 assists). These five goal involvements have come in his last five games against them, with three coming in Saints’ 4-3 win at Villa Park last term.
Since the start of last season, Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins has been on the losing side in six different Premier League games in which he’s scored, more than any other player in that time. The Villans have lost both games in which he’s found the net so far this term.
The Last Meeting
On a cold January night at an empty St Mary’s, Ross Barkley’s header lit up a close game and won Aston Villa all three points.
The midfielder scored just before the break as the club notched their first victory against the Saints since 2013.
Emi Martinez and his defence had to be on top form to preserve their clean sheet, making a number of superb blocks and saves.
Team News
Ezri Konsa is suspended after his red card against West Ham United was upheld, while Dean Smith will also be without Danny Ings, Douglas Luiz, Bertrand Traore and Trezeguet.
On a positive note, Jacob Ramsey’s ankle sprain wasn’t as bad as first feared and he’s available to face the Saints alongside the returning Morgan Sanson and Jaden Philogene-Bidace.
Saints' top scorer Armando Broja is set to return for the game, while Hasenhüttl’s only injury absentee is Jack Stephens.
The Boss
“I talk about consistency and that’s what you see from Southampton in the way they play, the way they approach the game. They had a really good start to last season like ourselves and then they had a run of results that went against them and they dropped down the league. You look at them this season and you see a team that’s organised and very difficult to beat. They’ve shown that already with performances against the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea. We’re expecting a really tough game and it’s one that we’re in a determined mood for.”
Dean Smith
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