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

[SoccerHQ]

Definite bogey side in the early Premier League days but that was primarily because they had bloody Matthew  Le Tissier. He loved scoring against us and even when we looked like beating or drawing against them he’d grab a last minute goal for them. The only win that stands out in my memory of recent meetings is the one at St Mary’s under Lambert where we had three shots and won 3-2.

We had a pretty good run v them from mid 90s onwards.

Won at the Dell three years running (last was that 4-1 win when we were celebrating at the end breaking unbeaten start to the season) and we also regularly beat them at VP during that time. Think we were also one of the first to win at St Marys aswell and when they went down in 04/05 we beat them home and away including comeback win from 2 down in the away game so only really become a massive pain in the backside since 2012.

Never had a problem with them though probably due to Le Tissier but also because they've always seemed to try to play football in the right way and have one of the best youth set ups in football when you look at the players they've produced in last 15 years, very impressive set.

[brontebilly]

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?

Think Smith could and should be making changes as a result. Obvious one is Trez and AEG for Barks and Traore. Nakamba for Luiz possibly also.

[GordonCowansisthegreatest]

I looked through the photo's of the team going through their paces on the official site, there are three or four showing Barkley, on every one he looks shattered!
Everyone else is smiling and laughing. Maybe he needs a rest. Bring him on for the last 15/20 minutes when they're tiring?

[Deano's Mullet]

Definite bogey side in the early Premier League days but that was primarily because they had bloody Matthew  Le Tissier. He loved scoring against us and even when we looked like beating or drawing against them he’d grab a last minute goal for them. The only win that stands out in my memory of recent meetings is the one at St Mary’s under Lambert where we had three shots and won 3-2.

We had a pretty good run v them from mid 90s onwards.

Won at the Dell three years running (last was that 4-1 win when we were celebrating at the end breaking unbeaten start to the season) and we also regularly beat them at VP during that time. Think we were also one of the first to win at St Marys aswell and when they went down in 04/05 we beat them home and away including comeback win from 2 down in the away game so only really become a massive pain in the backside since 2012.

Never had a problem with them though probably due to Le Tissier but also because they've always seemed to try to play football in the right way and have one of the best youth set ups in football when you look at the players they've produced in last 15 years, very impressive set.

I remember a 1-0 on Sky Monday Night Football, Super Tommy Johnson scored.

[danno]

I remember Kachloul and Hadji tearing these a new one about 2001 or 2002 ish.

Sadly them pressing us from the off at Villa Park last season, and McGinn getting injured is also fresh in the memory.

Heres hoping that with Ward-prowse playing for them, we avoid giving away stupid corners and free kicks.

[Sdwbvf]

We had a pretty good run v them from mid 90s onwards.

Won at the Dell three years running (last was that 4-1 win when we were celebrating at the end breaking unbeaten start to the season) and we also regularly beat them at VP during that time. Think we were also one of the first to win at St Marys aswell and when they went down in 04/05 we beat them home and away including comeback win from 2 down in the away game so only really become a massive pain in the backside since 2012.

That was the season  where I sat 2 rows behind Doug Ellis at St Mary's. Can't really remember much of the game as the hospitality beer was free! I do remember Crouch having a great game and cursing that he was never much cop for us.

[trinityoap]

Was it an urban myth that just before Christmas about twenty years ago a tree was stolen from outside the players entrance and a letter was received saying "  Drop Benali or the tree gets it"?

[Rudy Can't Fail]

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.

He's up against a real wind-up merchant, forget his name but no doubt tomorrow night we'll all be cursing his name. Jack needs to man-up and control his temper or he'll be missing more than one game. Hurt them where it hurts.

[RamboandBruno]

There a good team, with a good style of play and a good manager, don’t mind them as a club either. Saying all that, there form is as bad if not slightly worse than ours, that giant centre back is out injured as well I think.
Whilst I agree we probs need to change it up at some point, the problem is offensively I think Traore is looking better than both El Ghazi or Trez, there is the issue with his tracking back granted, so it might be worth bringing trez in away from home just for that.
The whole time Smiths been in charge with the style of football he likes, we’ve been really reliant on wingers playing well in the offensive third. Barcklay gives us a real threat going forward down the middle as well. He doesn’t look that fit and doesn’t do the defensive side that well, but we are more predictable attacking wise without him in the team.
I’d pick the same 11 as the Burnley game and see if they can make amends, but with a view of making a subs earlier on 60/70 mins depending how the game is going.
Really hard one to call, could go either way, optimistically 1-2 villa (Watkins, Barcklay)

[john2710]

I'd give a debut to Sanson in place of Barkley.  Maybe Trez in place of Traore.

Maybe bring them on with 20 mins to go if needed.

We need a centre-half marking their centre-half at corners & free-kicks.

[Ads]

Martinez

Targett
Mings
Konsa
Cash

Dougie

McGinn
Morgan

Grealish
Watkins
Trez

Part of me is wondering whether we adapt to Southampton, hence my feeling of a double 8 press to smother the 2-2 element of their formation in midfield.

But do we blunt our quality and take Traore out? They're weak at full back, have their main centre half out with injury along with their right back and we were sensational first half at Burnley and pretty good second half going forwards too.

[RamboandBruno]

Martinez

Targett
Mings
Konsa
Cash

Dougie

McGinn
Morgan

Grealish
Watkins
Trez

Part of me is wondering whether we adapt to Southampton, hence my feeling of a double 8 press to smother the 2-2 element of their formation in midfield.

But do we blunt our quality and take Traore out? They're weak at full back, have their main centre half out with injury along with their right back and we were sensational first half at Burnley and pretty good second half going forwards too.

It’s a really tricky one. There’s been criticism of Traore for not supporting Cash and rightly so and that could leave us exposed against their press. For me though, he’s become far more of a threat in our attacking third than either Trez or El Ghazi, he just has more skill. Tough call for Smith today.

[ChicagoLion]

I don’t think we can get away with Traore and Barkley playing, not for long periods anyway. I would go with Ads team to start.

[GordonCowansisthegreatest]

I'd give a debut to Sanson in place of Barkley.  Maybe Trez in place of Traore.

Maybe bring them on with 20 mins to go if needed.

We need a centre-half marking their centre-half at corners & free-kicks.

This! Saved me typing it out.
Bring them on with a tiring defence but plenty of time to do some damage.

[Ads]

With 2 runners in McGinn and Sansom, we might me more capable of playing Traore.