Relegation-battling Southampton take on Aston Villa at St Mary’s Stadium in a huge Premier League clash.
Victory could see Southampton climb out of the relegation zone, whilst Villa can stay 11th with a win and potentially move further into the fight for an Europa League spot at maximum.
Team News
Goalkeeper, Alex McCarthy could return for Southampton after recovering from an ankle injury which sidelined him in recent weeks.
Armel Bella-Kotchap (knee) and Theo Walcott (calf) could also be available for selection.
Valentino Livramento (knee) and Juan Larios (adductor) remain absent.
Villa could welcome Leander Dendoncker back from an one-match suspension which he served in their victory against Leeds last weekend.
Matty Cash, Ludwig Augustinsson (both knocks), Lucas Digne (shoulder) and Ollie Watkins (ankle) are doubts
Jed Steer (Achilles), Diego Carlos (Achilles) and John McGinn (hamstring) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Southampton welcome Aston Villa to St Mary’s Stadium on 21 January with kick-off at 3pm, untelevised in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Southampton have won two of their last five meetings against Aston Villa (W2, L3).
- Villa have won just one of their last five league visits to Southampton (W1, D1, L3).
- Two of five red cards in 41 previous Premier League meetings between Southampton and Villa have been awarded to the Saints.
- Three of Southampton’s six goals in 2023 have been scored by James Ward-Prowse, who has scored in two of their last three games in all competitions.
- Emiliano Buendia has scored in two of Villa’s three league matches in 2023, with the Villains going on to win both matches respectively.
Prediction
Despite sitting rock-bottom of the Premier League again, Southampton do seem to have found fresh confidence which was apparent in how they fought back at Everton, to turn a wasteful first half into a clinical second-half win in a manner that they previously lacked all season.
Villa meanwhile executed their counter-attack plan brilliantly against Leeds with fantastic pressing and pace, whilst their defence was solid with some great recoveries when goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez was out of position.
This game though is important for Southampton because victory could lift them off the foot of the table and put them right in the mix for survival, especially with West Ham facing Everton in the other clash involving the bottom three clubs, so I do expect another aggressive performance.
Villa though have won both away games under Unai Emery so this game certainly shouldn’t finish goalless but if Southampton score first, I do fancy them to have the edge in what should be a decent contest.
Prediction: Southampton 2-1 Aston Villa
Result: Southampton 0-1 Aston Villa
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