Southampton will host Aston Villa at St. Mary’s Stadium in the Premier League on Friday in what could be an entertaining game.
The Saints have blown hot and cold this season, although they have picked up seven points from a possible nine in their last three games. They head into this week’s fixture of the back of an impressive 1-0 victory over Watford at Vicarage Road.
Aston Villa, on the other hand, are on a torrid run after a solid start to the season. They suffered a 4-1 home defeat to West Ham in their last game, and will head to the south coast hoping to end their abysmal four-game losing run.
Southampton vs Aston Villa – Team News
Southampton
Armando Broja had picked up an ankle injury against Burnley last month that saw him miss the Watford game at the weekend. He remains doubtful for the upcoming fixture. Jack Stephens is already sidelined with a long-term knee injury.
Alex McCarthy will remain in goal, aiming to keep back-to-back clean sheets on Friday. In front of McCarthy, the likes of Tino Livramento, Jan Bednarek, Mohammed Salisu and Kyle Walker-Peters are set to retain their places in the Southampton backline.
Oriol Romeu and James Ward-Prowse have nailed down their places in the Southampton lineup and will pair up again in the middle of the park. Romeu’s tenacity and aggression complement Ward-Prowse’s technical skills on the ball. Nathan Redmond is a permanent fixture on the left wing with Mohamed Elyounoussi likely to get the nod ahead of Theo Walcott in the Southampton lineup.
An ankle injury to Armando Broja should see Adam Armstrong and Che Adams continue their partnership upfront and give a torrid time to a lowly Aston Villa side.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith is set to remain without Bertrand Traore (thigh), Jacob Ramsey (ankle) and Mahmoud Trezeguet (knee). Ezri Konsa is suspended having been sent off in the 4-1 defeat to West Ham at the weekend.
Danny Ings’ absence against West Ham was a strange one but it could be due to the striker testing positive for Covid-19, making him a major doubt against the Saints. Douglas Luiz had also missed the last game but the specifics of his injury remains unknown.
Emiliano Martinez will be desperate for a clean-sheet on Friday having conceded 12 goals in the last four games. Villa’s inability to stop conceding goals could see Dean Smith revert to a back three system at the St. Mary’s Stadium. With Ezri Konsa suspended, a back three of Axel Tuanzebe, Kortney Hause and Tyrone Mings could be fielded with Matty Cash and Matt Targett starting at wing-back positions.
Two days until #SOUAVL. 👊
Ross Barkley scored the decisive goal when we last visited St Mary's Stadium. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/YXo4Z0tCHo
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) November 3, 2021
John McGinn’s availability remains in doubt and with Jacob Ramsey sustaining an ankle injury against West Ham United, Marvellous Nakamba and John McGinn should ideally keep their places in midfield. Emi Buendia could start in midfield on Friday.
Upfront, Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey will look to cause all kinds of problems to the Southampton backline with their pace, power and movement.
Southampton vs Aston Villa – Predicted Lineups
Southampton Predicted Lineup (4-4-2): Alex McCarthy; Tino Livramento, Jan Bednarek, Mohammed Salisu, Kyle Walker-Peters; James Ward-Prowse, Oriol Romeu, Mohamed Elyounoussi, Nathan Redmond; Adam Armstrong, Che Adams
Aston Villa Predicted Lineup (5-3-2): Emiliano Martinez; Matty Cash, Axel Tuanzebe, Kortney Hause, Tyrone Mings, Matt Targett; John McGinn, Marvellous Nakamba, Emi Buendia; Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey
Southampton vs Aston Villa – Key Players
Southampton—Che Adams
Che Adams broke his Premier League duck this season with a well-taken goal against Watford at the weekend, having scored in the Saints’ Carabao Cup defeat to Chelsea last week. He’ll be licking his lips at the prospect of facing an Aston Villa side that has leaked goals at an alarming rate in recent weeks.
Aston Villa—Ollie Watkins
With Danny Ings likely to miss out again, the onus of scoring goals for Aston Villa will fall on the shoulders of Ollie Watkins. The England international did net in the 4-1 defeat to West Ham, which should give him some-needed confidence ahead of Friday’s game at the south coast. He’ll pose the biggest threat for the Saints rear-guard.
Prediction: Southampton 3-1 Aston Villa
