Southampton v Aston Villa pre-match thread - Saturday, January 30th, 8pm

[Bobby Boy]

At the start of the week I felt more confident of a decent result against Burnley than against Southampton.

Southampton are a better footballing team than Burnley but they also have the threat from corners and free-kicks that cost us against Burnley and in the Southampton game at our place.

It will be a good game and we can beat them if we avoid the mental errors that killed us against Burnley.

I'd play either El Ghazi or Trez for Traore though for definite and I'd be really surprised if Dean doesn't make that change.

2-1 to us.

[AlexAlexCropley]

If the home match was another 10 minutes we win. Southampton fade in matches,keep it tight first half, batter em second. 3-0 us.

[Jon Crofts]

Christ almighty the last time we beat these stripey, south coast, yacht haven, nobodies was December 2013!

[Risso]

Christ almighty the last time we beat these stripey, south coast, yacht haven, nobodies was December 2013!

We did have four years of that in a different division though.  But still, let's put it right tomorrow.

[LeeB]

Christ almighty the last time we beat these stripey, south coast, yacht haven, nobodies was December 2013!

I'd have finished with "Howard's Way c**ts", but I'm nitpicking.

[darren woolley]

2-1 Villa win.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

We need to get back to winning ways with one win in last six. We're generally playing well enough to not be too concerned but 3 points tomorrow are vital to set us for the visit of West Ham and Arsenal next week.

We need to get at the Saints defence that looks very weak. I'd consider bring Trez back for his workrate down the right. Other than that, same team as Burnley.

[PaulWinch again]

Yes I agree we’re playing much better than recent results - so we need to start accumulating the points.

[PhilVill]

If they don't get sucked into making daft challenges close to the 18 yard box I think we could win this one comfortably. You have to think that the team are really hurting from the 2nd half shit show on Wednesday night and want to put that right. 0-2 methinks (me hopes!)

[The Edge]

I think that Burnley defeat has dented our confidence, and they will definitely test our zonal marking 2:0 however I have a slight hunch that Watkins might get a hatrick 2:3 I’ve got splinters

We don't know yet if the Burnley game has affected the players confidence but it has dented the fans confidence. I agree about the zonal marking though. Burnley did their homework and got their rewards. When that giant scored against us at Villa Park I think it was McGinn marking him (trying to) from a corner. That can't be allowed to happen. As great as our defensive record has been this year zonal marking from set pieces scares me.

Some fans. That result against Burnley was just another one of those games. Southampton are in a tricky patch but they've been good this season. I think we'll be fine.

Exactly this. It was a defeat but they do occur!!! We’re a million miles from where we were last season and in honesty we could have been 5 up at half time. I havnt lost confidence in them and I’m sure the team havnt either

Just to clarify I haven't lost confidence in them. I often annoy people by defending certain players even when they probably don't deserve it. It's just in my nature. Of course we can win and I'm looking forward to watching the boys in full flow with some of that silky football which is so great to watch.I really can't wait to be in Villa Park and witnessing this team in the flesh.

[Abbeyfealeavfc]

I'd be tempted to start the same team that started at Burnley (cause that 1st half was ace). We just need to take our chances.
Against Newcastle and Burnley we fell off the pace in the 2nd half (maybe due to the enforced covid layoff), so I would definitely replace Barkley on 60 mins with Sanson if he's available (Barkley doesn't have the stamina for a full 90 mins, he doesn't look match fit and he's only a luxury if we've got the ball).
Nakamba may need to come on for McGinn around the same time and whoever our dms are need to cover the full backs as part of their roles. I'll be interested to see Sanson given a runout as I don't know very much about him.

Edit-I forgot, we also need to defend corners better!

[SaddVillan]

4th game in 11 days.
Almost the same starting (and finishing) XI each time.
How much has Covid affected the squad?
Are some of the players showing signs of burnout?

[Risso]

4th game in 11 days.
Almost the same starting (and finishing) XI each time.
How much has Covid affected the squad?
Are some of the players showing signs of burnout?

In my opinion, not at all. Watkins has played 21 games. Son at Spurs has played 31.

[BoVillan esq]

After throwing away Burnley I'd settle for a draw v Southampton, get something, we do have Jack, a real game winner if he gets the chance.

1-1

[villa `cross the mersey]

Tired legs resulting in a 3-1 defeat .......