Owen, London: Interesting Southampton next 3 fixtures man city (h), arsenal (a) and man utd (a) a real test of their top 4 credentials.

Dennis: Would Everton/Spurs fans put up with being as laughably poor as Villa are? An average of 43 points per season scraped from awful football is nowhere near acceptable for a club of Villa's stature. And how about some entertainment? Are the pro-Lambert testers actually watching this match? If we win it'll be a travesty, we're woefully bad.

Mark, Berkshire: Lack of any cutting edge from Saints in the final third; they are missing Davis. Time for Koeman to get in to the players to turn this round.

I wonder if ex-Villa boss Graham Taylor has gone to the match tonight. Because if he has, then he might be hoping to avoid bumping into Southampton boss Ronald Koeman at the Villa Park coffee machine after the final whistle.

Why? Because the scars are still deep from 13 October 1993 for former England manager Taylor. The night when Netherlands defender Koeman almost single-handedly - in Taylor's eyes at least - left him feeling "cheated".

In a must-win 1994 World Cup qualifier for England, Koeman escaped a red card and then scored the winner.

It's almost that time of the year again folks. Nope, not Christmas. The annual BBC Sports Personality of the Year award of course!

And the ten contenders shortlisted to win the 2014 gong on 14 December have been revealed.

Golfer Rory McIlroy, footballer Gareth Bale, gymnast Max Whitlock, F1's Lewis Hamilton and swimmer Adam Peaty are on the list with Lizzy Yarnold (skeleton).

Boxer Carl Froch, Charlotte Dujardin (dressage), athlete Jo Pavey, plus Paralympic skier Kelly Gallagher and guide Charlotte Evans are nominated.

The public vote for their favourite by phone and online on the night. See the full details here.

Matt in Huddersfield: Villa fans sound like the Newcastle fans five games ago...look how that turned out. Patience is a virtue!

Villa's half-time lead means the as-it-stands Premier League table makes interesting reading. Liverpool fans look away now...

Image source, BBC Sport

Matthew Vins:, external‏ Don't think Villa have scored a second half goal in the Premier League this season... Defence needs to stay awake!

That, I think, is the 50th minute Matthew. Mind you, including tonight they have only scored six league goals all season.

David Ljunggren:, external People keep asking why Newcastle sold Fraser Forster and I think the reasons are becoming clearer

Antony walker:, external On paper, villa are not a bad team. On the pitch however, it's a different story

OptaJoe:, external 3 - This is only the third time Southampton have trailed at half-time in the PL this season. They lost the previous two games. Pointer.

Second-placed Southampton are hogging the ball and have unleashed more shots than lowly Villa. But only one stat matters at the moment...

Former England winger Chris Waddle on BBC Radio 5 live

"I'm sure Ronald Koeman will say listen, our approach play is nice to watch, the movement is good but watch Gabby Agbonlahor on the counter attack. You have dominated the game but the quality around the box has not been good enough."

One minute of added time is shown on the fourth official's board. And that 60 seconds produces virtually nothing. So far so good for Villa who - in the scoreline at least - are ripping up the form book in Paul Lambert's 100th match in charge.

Villa continue to make life difficult for themselves, this time Charles N'Zogbia is the culprit as he gives away a free-kick about 25 yards out. But the home side organise themselves quickly and clear Morgan Schneiderlin's set piece.

Image source, AP

And, after that quick breather, Villa almost bag a second. Centre-back Ciaran Clark climbs highest to meet a deep free-kick, heading down into the Saints danger-zone. But Morgan Schneiderlin hooks away the bother before a claret and blue shirt can pounce on the loose ball.

A pause in play - to the delight of Villa's players - as home left-back Aly Cissokho goes down after Victor Wanyama scrapes his studs across the top of his boot.

Former England winger Chris Waddle on BBC Radio 5 live

"You have to say that with the way they have played, Southampton don't deserve to be behind, They've played some lovely football.

"But that's football."

Villa are being pinned back on their line like a tiring rugby side and need forward Gabby Agbonlahor to assume the role of a half-back by booting the ball deep into Saints territory. That eases the pressure - for the moment....

Jamie, from London: As an arsenal fan, I desperately hope this is the beginning of the end for this Southampton side. Looking like top 4 rivals.

Luke, Birmingham: Even though we're one up were still an awful team no chance of us staying up or winning this game ! Lambert has to go and a major clear out is required !

And Southampton almost knock Villa's newly-found confidence out of them. Sadio Mane jinks in from the left side of the Villa penalty area and sends a right-footed shot trundling towards the bottom far corner. But Villa keeper Brad Guzan flings himself down to his left to tip around the post and maintain Villa's lead.

Image source, PA

Confidence is pumping the veins of the Villa players now. Centre-back Jores Okore sprays a Hollywood pass out to the left flank, before Southampton win back possession.

OptaJoe:, external 439 - Gabriel Agbonlahor's goal ended a run of 439 minutes without conceding in the PL for Southampton. Stunner.

Chelsea Warrior:, external And Villa are suddenly equal on points with Liverpool. Pray tell, who spent a hundred Million?

HarryBanty:, external To those Villa fans saying Lambert should go. You don't know how valuble something is till you lose it

John Pierce:, external Clearly Southampton thinks it's Xmas already. Nice gift a free goal that. Shame it didn't come with a bow.