Aston Villa vs Southampton Preview

• Villa to win
• Over 1.5 goals

Aston Villa welcome bottom-of-the-table Southampton to Villa Park as they aim to build on their midweek win over Brentford.

For Southampton, this clash represents another daunting challenge in a season that continues to spiral downward.

Aston Villa: Aiming for Momentum

After eight games without a win (D3, L5), Aston Villa finally ended their slump with a 3-1 victory over Brentford. Unai Emery’s side will now look to secure consecutive Premier League wins for the first time since September.

Villa have been solid at home, remaining unbeaten in their last six league games at Villa Park (W3, D3).

Adding to their confidence is their strong recent record against Southampton, winning four of the last five H2Hs ‘to nil.’ Emery will be eager for his side to get the job done efficiently, especially with a crucial UEFA Champions League clash against RB Leipzig looming just three days later.

Morgan Rogers has been a standout for Villa, with six of his seven goals for the club coming in the first half, including one in the midweek win. His ability to make early impacts could be pivotal in breaking down a struggling Southampton defence.

Southampton: A Season to Forget

Southampton’s woes continued with a crushing 5-1 defeat to Chelsea midweek, leaving them seven points adrift at the bottom of the table.

Russell Martin is under increasing pressure, and while he praised his players after their latest loss, the St. Mary’s faithful made their frustration clear.

The Saints’ record of just five points after 14 games (W1, D2, L11) is the joint-second worst in Premier League history. Their away form offers little hope, with six defeats from seven league games on the road (D1).

Cameron Archer, returning to Villa Park, could be Southampton’s brightest spark. The forward scored on this ground last season while playing for Sheffield United and will be eager to impress.

However, with only two wins in his six top-flight scoring appearances, his contributions may not be enough to change the Saints’ fortunes.

Key Battles

Morgan Rogers vs Southampton’s Defence

Rogers’ tendency to score early goals makes him a constant threat. Southampton’s defence, which has been porous all season, will need to stay compact to limit his influence.

Cameron Archer vs Villa’s Backline

Archer’s pace and movement could pose problems for Villa’s defence. However, with Southampton struggling to create chances, he may find himself isolated unless the Saints can deliver better service.

Tactical Analysis

Aston Villa are likely to dominate possession, leveraging their midfield creativity to carve open Southampton’s defence. Emery may rotate his squad slightly with the Leipzig game in mind, but the home side should still have enough quality to control the game.

Southampton will likely adopt a defensive approach, looking to frustrate Villa and hit on the counterattack. Martin will need his side to stay disciplined and take any chances they create, particularly through Archer.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2-0 Southampton

Aston Villa’s solid home form and Southampton’s dire away record suggest a straightforward victory for the hosts. Rogers is likely to play a key role, and Villa’s organised defence should be enough to secure a clean sheet.

Southampton’s lack of confidence and inability to turn performances into points make it hard to see them pulling off an upset. Villa’s focus and depth should carry them through with relative ease.

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Aston Villa v Southampton, 2024/25 | Premier League