And both teams have to settle for point apiece. A smattering of boos ring out from the Villa Park stands as Phil Dowd toots his whistle as Villa's winless run extends to an eighth Premier League match.

Southampton go long as they try to hammer down the Villa defence. But the claret and blue wall remains firm. One minute for them to hold on for a vital point.

Three minutes of stoppage time. Southampton attack. Villa on the back foot...

Slowbear:, external Give Nathaniel that much space and he won't de-Clyne the opportunity!

Hope that wasn't long in the making.

Jack Cork on for Shane Long.

The away side survive. Anyone going to nick this? It could go either way...

Paul Lambert will be pleased to see his side settle back down after that tidal wave of Southampton pressure.

Then, back come Villa. Southampton's defence have to scramble back as Villa pump a couple of wide balls into the danger zone.

Richard McLernon:, external Only City and Southampton are closer to chelsea in 1st than they are to QPR in 20th... Southampton can't afford dropped points

Five minutes left on the clock. I'd guess that Paul Lambert would happily take a draw if he was offered one right now.

Now...if Saints were really capable of finishing in the Top 4, they'd probably get a late winner in a game like this...#bbcfootball

A carbon copy of the opener almost leads to a possible Southampton winner. Again a long ball upfield causes chaos in the opposition defence - but this time Villa left-back Aly Cissokho takes charge and races across to boot clear, not waiting for Brad Guzan to reach the ball.

Villa boss Paul Lambert looks pensive as he patrols the touchline, with the nervous Villa Park crowd silent.

David Lock:, external 34% possession gets what it deserves.

Henry:, external All those criticizing Southampton tonight are probably the same 'experts' who said they'd go down this season - makes me laugh.

Former England winger Chris Waddle on BBC Radio 5 live

"It's the first bit of quality around the box from Southampton. Both full-backs involved, one to the other. Nathaniel Clyne comes on to it, doesn't blast it, and that's an excellent finish."

And Ronald Koeman's boldness has paid off. Southampton are level as one full-back tees up the other. Left-back Ryan Bertrand rampages into the Villa box, checks his run to intelligently pull back to Nathaniel Clyne and the right-back smashes in the equaliser, with a sliding Gabriel Agbonlahor unable to make it with his attempted tackle.

Image source, Getty Images

If Ronald Koeman was playing Championship Manager he would have just pressed the 'gung ho attack' button. Zambian striker Emmanuel Mayuka replaces Sadio Mane as the Saints go 4-2-4.

Peter Collins:, external This feels like Villa's win at Anfield. Get in front, shut up shop. And when Mourinho does it, he's a genius...

Paul Harris:, external It's been said Southampton play like @Arsenal. Passing the oppo to death and failing to score tonight suggests they are.

Could have been game, set and match. Should have been game, set and match.

A swift Villa counter attack ends in Gabby Agbonlahor squaring for Andreas Weimann. However, the Austrian sees the headlines before the ball and blasts into the Holte End from about 15 yards.

A shot on target. Yes, a shot on target. That was a shot on target. Dusan Tadic with a free-kick whipped in from a wide angle. Brad Guzan opts to punch clear - and makes decent mileage with his two-fisted effort.

Another substitution. And another substitution for Villa. Darren Bent - that one-time prolific goalscorer - trots on for Carlos Sanchez.

Surely Saints boss Ronald Koeman is thinking about a tactical tweak? Fifteen minutes for his side to salvage something.

BBC Radio 5 live

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