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Preview: Southampton vs. Aston Villa - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Premier League clash between Southampton and Aston Villa, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Southampton and Aston Villa will each be looking to bounce back from midweek Premier League defeats when they face off at St Mary's on Saturday evening.

The sides are locked on the same number of points heading into this weekend's clash, though Villa have played a game fewer than Southampton.


Match preview

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl pictured on January 23, 2021© Reuters

It is now back-to-back losses in the league for Southampton following Tuesday's 3-1 reverse at the hands of Arsenal, three days on from beating the same side in the FA Cup.

The Saints took the lead via an early Stuart Armstrong goal, but Arsenal hit back through goals from Nicolas Pepe, Bukayo Saka and Alexandre Lacazette.

Indeed, since Ralph Hasenhuttl's first game in charge of Southampton in December 2018, no other team has dropped more points from winning positions in the Premier League (47).

That is something Hasenhuttl will be keen to get to the bottom of, but he will be pleased with his side's campaign as a whole, sitting as they do just six points off the top four.

Southampton led the way at the top of the table at one point - one of nine sides to have done so - while opponents Villa were also in the higher echelons not so long ago.

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith pictured on January 1, 2021© Reuters

The Villans have won just one of their last four league games, though, most recently going down 3-2 to Burnley on Wednesday evening.

Dean Smith's side twice took the lead at Turf Moor, but they could not hold on and Chris Wood scored what proved to be the winner 11 minutes from time.

After winning five of their first seven away league games this term, keeping five clean sheets, Villa have since lost three in a row and conceded at least twice in each.

The West Midlands outfit could do with getting their campaign back on course this weekend, then, but this is a fixture that they have a poor record in.

They are winless in their last eight Premier League matches against Southampton, losing each of the last four, including a 4-3 defeat at Villa Park in the reverse fixture.

Southampton Premier League form: LDDWLL
Southampton form (all competitions): DWLWWL

Aston Villa Premier League form: WDLLWL
Aston Villa form (all competitions): DLLLWL


Team News

Aston Villa's Bertrand Traore celebrates scoring their second goal on January 23, 2021© Reuters

Southampton remain without a number of first-team players through injury, but Kyle Walker-Peters may be available and Ryan Bertrand is back from suspension.

Nathan Redmond was a second-half substitute against Arsenal and is in contention to make his first start since October.

James Ward-Prowse claimed another assist last time out to take the midfielder to nine goal involvements this term, making this his most productive Premier League campaign.

Villa brought in Morgan Sanson from Marseille for £16m this week and he is line to make his debut at St Mary's, though that will likely be from the bench.

Rotation is possible in attack should Smith wish to freshen things up, with Bertrand Traore, Anwar El-Ghazi and Trezeguet battling for a starting spot.

Ollie Watkins will surely lead the line as he looks to score in a third successive Premier League game for the first time.

Southampton possible starting lineup:
McCarthy; Valery, Bednarek, Stephens, Bertrand; Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Diallo, Walcott; Adams, Ings

Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Luiz, McGinn; Trezeguet, Barkley, Grealish; Watkins


SM words green background

We say: Southampton 1-0 Aston Villa

Southampton's defeat to Arsenal ended a three-match winning streak on home soil in all competitions. Villa, meanwhile, have lost three in a row on their travels, each in the league.

That, combined with the Villans' poor record in this fixture, suggests that the Saints should get their campaign back on track this weekend with three points.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Away:data



Video prediction

Watch the Sports Mole Football Shorts prediction for this game below:


ID:432546:cQx

How you voted: Southampton vs Aston Villa

Southampton
51.5%
Draw
18.0%
Aston Villa
30.5%
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on January 23, 2021
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City20135237132444
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd21125437271041
3Liverpool21117343241940
4Leicester CityLeicester21123637251239
5West Ham UnitedWest Ham2110563127435
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs2096534211333
7Chelsea2196635231233
8Everton1910362924533
9Aston Villa19102734211332
10Arsenal219482620631
11Southampton208572725229
12Leeds UnitedLeeds209293536-129
13Crystal Palace217592536-1126
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2165102130-923
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2164112134-1322
16Burnley2064101326-1322
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton214982329-621
18Fulham2028101729-1214
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2126131750-3312
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2122171234-228

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