Close menu
Premier League
SouthamptonSouthampton1Aston VillaAston Villa0

Southampton 1-0 Aston Villa: Saints edge Villa with Adam Armstrong goal

By Emlyn BegleyBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Premier Leaguecomments713

Adam Armstrong
Adam Armstrong's goal was his first since the opening day of the season

Adam Armstrong's early goal helped Southampton continue their Premier League revival as they inflicted a fifth defeat in a row on Aston Villa.

Dean Smith's side are short on confidence and got off to a disastrous start with Matt Cash failing to clear a long ball and Armstrong smashing in a sensational first-time effort from 20 yards.

Villa were a mess in the first half and Southampton could have led by several goals at the break, while the visitors' Anwar el Ghazi was lucky to avoid a second booking for a blatant dive.

But Villa looked like a new side in the second half with El Ghazi and Emiliano Buendia going close.

They also had a strong penalty appeal turned down when Oriol Romeu pulled Tyrone Mings' shirt, but they could not find a leveller and the pressure increases on Smith.

Asked if he will be given time to turn round Villa's form, he said: "I have no idea.

"I have never had any control over that so I never worry about it. I always concentrate on my job day to day and continue to do that.

"I am very confident if given time that we will turn it around with the squad we have got, and the players we have got coming back [from injury]."

Southampton move up to 12th, while Villa remain only three points above the relegation zone before everybody else plays this weekend.

Southampton 1-0 Aston Villa: Ralph Hasenhuttl praises Southampton's 'stable' defence

Two teams going in opposite directions?

Villa were six points above Southampton at the start of October - and now sit four points behind them.

Ralph Hasenhuttl's Saints have taken 10 points from four league matches, as many as in their previous 12 games.

It was the archetypal game of two halves on Friday night.

Southampton were first to every ball in the first half, and got in behind the Villa defence time and time again.

Adam Armstrong gave Saints that early lead and then namesake Stuart Armstrong blazed over when unmarked in the box.

Villa players passed around a note from the bench midway through the first half, which returning captain Tyrone Mings hid in his sock, but it did not change much.

Southampton 1-0 Aston Villa: Dean Smith approves 'intensity' in second half

El Ghazi had been booked for an early foul on Valentino Livramento and twice rode his luck. First he grabbed Livramento around the shoulders and then dived in the box, but avoided punishment each time.

Saints should have scored more with Emiliano Martinez diving to keep out James Ward-Prowse's shot.

The second half started in the opposite manner with Villa winning 50-50s and creating chances at will.

They had more shots in the opening eight minutes of the second half (five) as in the first 45 minutes - including two from El Ghazi.

Villa's bench were furious when the referee did not give a penalty for Romeu's clear shirt-tug on Mings - with no activity from the video assistant referee either.

They finished with three strikers on the pitch and probably deserved to take a point - but this is now their worst losing run since January to February 2017 in the Championship.

Under-pressure Smith has 15 days until he can start turning things around, with the international break due to start.

Player of the match

A ArmstrongAdam Armstrong

with an average of 8.26

Southampton

  1. Squad number9Player nameA Armstrong
    Average rating

    8.26

  2. Squad number10Player nameAdams
    Average rating

    7.76

  3. Squad number6Player nameOriol Romeu
    Average rating

    7.72

  4. Squad number2Player nameWalker-Peters
    Average rating

    7.67

  5. Squad number21Player nameLivramento
    Average rating

    7.55

  6. Squad number24Player nameElyounoussi
    Average rating

    7.40

  7. Squad number22Player nameSalisu
    Average rating

    7.33

  8. Squad number17Player nameS Armstrong
    Average rating

    7.24

  9. Squad number35Player nameBednarek
    Average rating

    7.22

  10. Squad number1Player nameMcCarthy
    Average rating

    7.21

  11. Squad number18Player nameBroja
    Average rating

    7.06

  12. Squad number4Player nameLyanco
    Average rating

    7.06

  13. Squad number27Player nameDiallo
    Average rating

    6.86

  14. Squad number8Player nameWard-Prowse
    Average rating

    5.89

Aston Villa

  1. Squad number1Player nameE Martínez
    Average rating

    5.91

  2. Squad number2Player nameCash
    Average rating

    4.82

  3. Squad number7Player nameMcGinn
    Average rating

    4.41

  4. Squad number5Player nameMings
    Average rating

    4.22

  5. Squad number41Player nameJ Ramsey
    Average rating

    4.18

  6. Squad number35Player nameArcher
    Average rating

    4.16

  7. Squad number11Player nameWatkins
    Average rating

    3.94

  8. Squad number3Player nameTargett
    Average rating

    3.91

  9. Squad number16Player nameTuanzebe
    Average rating

    3.91

  10. Squad number10Player nameBuendía
    Average rating

    3.82

  11. Squad number19Player nameNakamba
    Average rating

    3.66

  12. Squad number39Player nameDavis
    Average rating

    3.58

  13. Squad number31Player nameBailey
    Average rating

    3.32

  14. Squad number21Player nameEl Ghazi
    Average rating

    3.32

Line-ups

Southampton

Formation 4-4-2

  • 1McCarthy
  • 21Livramento
  • 35Bednarek
  • 22SalisuBooked at 90mins
  • 2Walker-Peters
  • 17S ArmstrongSubstituted forLyancoat 56'minutes
  • 8Ward-Prowse
  • 6RomeuBooked at 62mins
  • 24ElyounoussiSubstituted forDialloat 76'minutes
  • 9A ArmstrongSubstituted forBrojaat 81'minutes
  • 10Adams

Substitutes

  • 4Lyanco
  • 7Long
  • 15Perraud
  • 18Broja
  • 19Djenepo
  • 23Tella
  • 27Diallo
  • 32Walcott
  • 44Forster

Aston Villa

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1E Martínez
  • 2Cash
  • 16TuanzebeBooked at 65mins
  • 5Mings
  • 3Targett
  • 7McGinn
  • 19NakambaSubstituted forJ Ramseyat 63'minutes
  • 31Bailey
  • 10BuendíaSubstituted forArcherat 71'minutes
  • 21El GhaziBooked at 11minsSubstituted forDavisat 79'minutes
  • 11Watkins

Substitutes

  • 12Steer
  • 18Young
  • 30Hause
  • 32Philogene-Bidace
  • 33Chukwuemeka
  • 35Archer
  • 39Davis
  • 40A Ramsey
  • 41J Ramsey
Referee:
Andy Madley
Attendance:
30,178

Match Stats

Home TeamSouthamptonAway TeamAston Villa
Possession
Home56%
Away44%
Shots
Home9
Away14
Shots on Target
Home3
Away3
Corners
Home10
Away8
Fouls
Home12
Away12

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Southampton 1, Aston Villa 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Southampton 1, Aston Villa 0.

  3. Post update

    Jan Bednarek (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  4. Post update

    Foul by Cameron Archer (Aston Villa).

  5. Post update

    Foul by James Ward-Prowse (Southampton).

  6. Post update

    Matt Targett (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  7. Post update

    James Ward-Prowse (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  8. Post update

    Foul by Jacob Ramsey (Aston Villa).

  9. Post update

    Foul by Armando Broja (Southampton).

  10. Post update

    John McGinn (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  11. Post update

    Attempt blocked. John McGinn (Aston Villa) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

  12. Booking

    Mohammed Salisu (Southampton) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  13. Post update

    Foul by Mohammed Salisu (Southampton).

  14. Post update

    Keinan Davis (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  15. Post update

    Jan Bednarek (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  16. Post update

    Foul by Cameron Archer (Aston Villa).

  17. Post update

    Offside, Aston Villa. Emiliano Martínez tries a through ball, but Ollie Watkins is caught offside.

  18. Post update

    Corner, Aston Villa. Conceded by Lyanco.

  19. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Cameron Archer (Aston Villa) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Matt Targett with a cross.

  20. Post update

    Attempt missed. Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Jacob Ramsey.

Page 1 of 6
Navigate to the last page
Everything you need to know about your Premier League team banner
  • Our coverage of your Premier League club is bigger and better than ever before - here's everything you need to know to make sure you never miss a moment
BBC Sport banner footer

Comments

Join the conversation

These comments are now closed.

713 comments

  • Comment posted by highbury81, at 22:02 5 Nov 2021

    As a Villa fan I cannot believe how El Ghazi stayed on the pitch. Dreadful refereeing. Two yellows even before his pathetic dive attempt. And as for Nakamba clutching his face when no contact was made. I’m embarrassed. Especially as this was afte his rolling around as if shot theatrics last week. Come on Lads, sort yourselves out.

    • Reply posted by Oahu, at 22:15 5 Nov 2021

      Oahu replied:
      They need a panel to award yellow cards for diving and feigning injury after each game. Maybe the ref lets it go, but a video panel should award cards post game.

      It would never work, but I'd like to be of that panel!

  • Comment posted by BenC, at 22:11 5 Nov 2021

    So glad Ralph Hasenhuttl has been given time at Southampton. If Rupert Lowe was still chairman he’d have been put on the conveyor belt along with all the other managers.

    Two 9-0 pumpings, selling our “best” players, two of which were key defenders and not buying any noteworthy quality. He’s got this squad playing for the shirt. Fantastic to see.

    Up the Saints

    • Reply posted by wemarchon, at 22:18 5 Nov 2021

      wemarchon replied:
      Ummm, Salisu, Lynaco, Livramento, Armstrong, Diallo. All great signings. Just need time to adjust. We are flying now. Defence is do much better.

      Romeu is having a blinder

  • Comment posted by Lets Get This Straight, at 22:08 5 Nov 2021

    How did El Ghazi not get sent off? The ref was a complete coward.
    A clear second yellow, but because he'd already booked him, the ref bottled it.
    He deliberately made the wrong decision. Then El Ghazi dived for a pen, and he still didn't get booked!

    • Reply posted by Oahu, at 22:21 5 Nov 2021

      Oahu replied:
      They needed that ref from the Liverpool / Athletico game the other day!

  • Comment posted by AJ, at 21:56 5 Nov 2021

    Scrap VAR, a complete waste of time if the referees are going to pick and choose when to use it.

    No consistency..

    • Reply posted by wemarchon, at 21:59 5 Nov 2021

      wemarchon replied:
      Villa should have been down to 10 in first half. Not VAR though. Ref bottled it

  • Comment posted by philip, at 22:02 5 Nov 2021

    Villa should have been relegated a year or so ago when goal line tech failed. Also for double standards when they cried about Leeds letting them have that goal…..didn’t show the same morals when goal line tech failed. Shabby club.

  • Comment posted by chanasnakepit, at 22:14 5 Nov 2021

    Villa entering the relegation fight if they don’t watch out. Southampton deserved to win. How does Mings get in the squad. Thinks he’s like a prime rio Ferdinand. More like Titus bramble!

    • Reply posted by Lets Agree To Disagree, at 22:37 5 Nov 2021

      Lets Agree To Disagree replied:
      Depending on other results Villa could be in the relegation zone by Sunday evening.

  • Comment posted by Rocket 1, at 22:27 5 Nov 2021

    El Ghazi should have been sent off, first foul, yellow card, second foul was worse, no card shown, then he tried a blatant cheat dive in the penalty area, even the commentators were questioning why he was still on the pitch. Referee was garbage

    • Reply posted by pcrad, at 22:58 5 Nov 2021

      pcrad replied:
      Referee's don't have a great track record when it comes to fairness and Southampton. Mind you, they're not great in general for clubs that aren't part of the "Gang of Six" that seem to think they own the premiership...

  • Comment posted by wemarchon, at 21:58 5 Nov 2021

    Get in Saints. Onwards and upwards 👍

    • Reply posted by The Spin Doctor, at 22:12 5 Nov 2021

      The Spin Doctor replied:
      Wouldn't the more correct phase be, The Saints go marching up?

  • Comment posted by markyc, at 22:03 5 Nov 2021

    El ghazi is a joke, Bailey doesn’t track back, where was McGinn? Buendia 38 million what the ….is going on!!

  • Comment posted by Sceptic, at 22:15 5 Nov 2021

    Not missing Ings or Vestergaard. Well rid of both of them and £50M in the bank.

    • Reply posted by Petty Evening Moderators, at 22:19 5 Nov 2021

      Petty Evening Moderators replied:
      But you'll miss Ward-Prowse when he joins Newcastle in January !!!

  • Comment posted by Isitonlyme, at 21:58 5 Nov 2021

    Why can’t Saints play consistently in both halves?

    • Reply posted by Raedwulf, at 22:21 5 Nov 2021

      Raedwulf replied:
      I thought they did? In the defensive half, they're... In the attacking half, they're... Or were they not the halves you were referring to? ;)

  • Comment posted by nimo, at 22:19 5 Nov 2021

    Oh villa, what heck is going on ? the match stats for us is the only positive thing to come out of the game. Villa were dire even our good spells in the game were bad, still can't pass a decent ball to own players, can't even get a decent cross inro the box, we were never going to score. We need a miracle. Looks like a relegation battle this season. I can't be a sore loser, so we'll done Saints.

    • Reply posted by terry phillips, at 23:06 5 Nov 2021

      terry phillips replied:
      A honest fan👍👍

  • Comment posted by Dudleywolf, at 22:01 5 Nov 2021

    Title contenders they said.

    Europe nailed on the said.

    Bets placed on Wolves relegation & Villa in Europe.

    What a fan base ey!! SMITH IN!

    • Reply posted by gnash96, at 22:07 5 Nov 2021

      gnash96 replied:
      Because wolves are playing good football this year, you'll be back where you belong soon. With the boing boings in your farmers league

  • Comment posted by JRC1, at 21:56 5 Nov 2021

    Up the saints

    • Reply posted by Sport Report, at 22:58 5 Nov 2021

      Sport Report replied:
      Good to see Saints beating Villans

  • Comment posted by Flip, at 22:18 5 Nov 2021

    Looks like the Villa will have to rely on the game tech not working again to save them from the Championship.

    • Reply posted by Fan Of Whoever Plays Man Utd, at 22:43 5 Nov 2021

      Fan Of Whoever Plays Man Utd replied:
      Ohhhh, harsh, but also funny, I like it!

  • Comment posted by F1Nash, at 22:14 5 Nov 2021

    I’m so happy for Ings!

    • Reply posted by Dell 1885, at 04:18 6 Nov 2021

      Dell 1885 replied:
      Yeah all the best judas

  • Comment posted by David Watts, at 22:21 5 Nov 2021

    On current form Villa are the worst in the premier,even worse than Norwich.

    On current form Southampton's results are better than Man Utd&Tottenham.

    Villa should have got a penalty, but they also should have been down 10 men,both VAR&Ref provide consistent inconsistencies.

    • Reply posted by SaintJack, at 22:30 5 Nov 2021

      SaintJack replied:
      Better current results than Man Utd & Tottenham, damning with feint praise. We were top of table in November last year :0

  • Comment posted by Colin, at 22:10 5 Nov 2021

    As Windsor Davies used to say... "Oh dear, how sad, never mind"

    • Reply posted by Origo, at 22:20 5 Nov 2021

      Origo replied:
      No he did not

  • Comment posted by edward bundy, at 22:03 5 Nov 2021

    Villa soon to be in their rightful place…. The Championship.

    • Reply posted by The Spin Doctor, at 22:09 5 Nov 2021

      The Spin Doctor replied:
      There is something badly wrong with Villa right now, they better find out what it is before it is too late.