Taxi for Sadio Mane! Southampton's first attack ends in embarrassment for the Senegal forward, who somehow boots the ball out for a Villa goal-kick when he tries to cross from the left. Strange.

Encouraging start for Villa, who pass the ball around neatly without being able to find a way through the sturdy Saints defence. That's until Gabby Agbonlahor bursts through the middle, only for a Saints body to block his shot from the edge of the area.

Image source, Getty Images

Referee Phil Dowd give the thumbs up to each keeper, gives his whistle a sharp shrill, and that means it is game on. Saints striker Shane Long has the honour of the first touch of the evening.

Former England winger Chris Waddle on BBC Radio 5 live

"I would say if Aston Villa survive in the Premier League this season, they've had a good season. Christian Benteke has missed most of the season, they don't play with any width and they just try and catch you on the break.

"They lack confidence in the last 30 yards of the pitch, for a simple reason. They just don't score goals."

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman admits starting striker Shane Long was partly down to Villa's defensive problems: "Yes a little bit. I think we need to be more offensive in midfield and today I thought the best option was playing Shane behind Pelle. And of course because Villa have problems at centre half."

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert on the inexperienced centre-half pairing of Ciaran Clark and Jores Okore: "It's a big game but they have got to step up to it. We have to meet the challenge and it's there for the two of them. I have got no worries about the two of them playing."

The players are strolling out of the tunnel at a slightly-misty Villa Park. Let's quickly hear what the two bosses have got to say for themselves..

Southampton have conceded only five league goals this season, six fewer than any other club. No club has kept more clean sheets in the league than the Saints' seven.

Image source, @AVFCOFFICIAL/Twitter

Someone bring the candlelit cake and a bottle of something sparkling - because you are all invited to Aston Villa's birthday bash. That's right, the club is 140 years old.

Villa was formed by four players from the Villa Cross Wesleyan Chapel cricket team, who were looking for something to pass the time during the dark winter months. And the rest is history.

European Cup-winning midfielder Gordon Cowans unveiled a special founding lamp - a nod to the aforementioned founding quartet meeting under gas-light - outside the Holte End earlier and a host of former Villa heroes will parade around the pitch shortly.

Chris Bloomfield:, external Paul Lambert forgets the fundament part of football, to win games you must score goals. No playmaker means no goals #bbcfootball

Joel Ejike 'Madiba':, external we all know that Southampton momentum won't last, the table gonna change soon, most club know were they belong

The Southampton-related question on everybody's lips is 'can they boot one of the big boys out of the top four?' Most neutrals hope so.

But Saints boss Ronald Koeman believes England's "crazy" Christmas schedule favours the biggest clubs.

Koeman's side also have to play four games in nine days over Christmas including league fixtures on Boxing Day and New Year's Day before the FA Cup third round on the first weekend in January.

"It's difficult because I don't have experience playing that number of games in such a short time," concedes the Dutchman. "I always used to be on holiday during Christmas and now we have a lot of games to prepare for."

Aston Villa have hit only 23 shots on target all season in the Premier League, eight fewer than Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has on his own.

Going toe-to-toe with Lawro in his weekly prediction battle is actor Adil Ray. You will otherwise know Adil as Citizen Khan - the star of the eponymous BBC One sitcom.

The Birmingham-born actor is a staunch Villa fan so who is he backing tonight?

"Whenever I see these predictions, people get behind their team and I feel like I should do with Villa but I am going to be honest instead - I don't think we are going to get anything out of Southampton. A 2-0 away win."

Aston Villa can't score. Southampton don't concede. So Villa haven't got a chance, right? Not according to our resident clairvoyant Mark Lawrenson - who is backing a home win tonight.

"The thing about Southampton's great start to the season is that it means they are now a scalp, which brings a different kind of pressure," says Lawro.

"Villa ended a run of six defeats with a draw against West Ham but, even with Christian Benteke suspended, I think they might surprise a few people here."

Lawro's prediction: 1-0

Sam, Putney: Goes to show how the financial backing of the Man City's of this world is sometimes no match for a well gelled team led by a good manager. Credit to Southampton for restoring faith in the old principles of the game.

Former England winger Chris Waddle on BBC Radio 5 live

"Villa's back four is not looking strong at all. They have some honest players and Charles N'Zogbia is a player who - on his day - can conjure up a bit of brilliance, but we haven't seen that day for three or four years.

"The way Villa are setting up they will sit deep, invite Southampton on to them and then try and hit them on the break."

Listen to audio commentary from Villa Park on BBC Radio 5 live.

Dennis, Wem: 99 games for Lambert: 48 defeats. Relegation a certainty under this dreadful, clueless manager. Any chance of the media recognising this, rather than peddling the "good young manager" nonsense. He's awful, we're awful.

Sideburns Dave in Sutton Coldfield: 100 games for Lambert and no discernable improvement coupled with mostly bad buys. How can you work full time and get worse?

Like a nervous batsman approaching his maiden Test century, Villa boss Paul Lambert has been stuck on 99 not out for a couple of weeks because of the international break.

But tonight he will can doff his cap and earn the acclaim of Villa Park - should they wish to give it - as he takes charge of his 100th match for the club.

"If it is 100 games, it is 100, if you are lucky enough to get 101, 102 or 103 you take it," says Lambert.

"It's a great thing being manager of this club I don't think anyone should underestimate it. It's a magical football club."

Fahad Khan:, external Hope Southampton wins today and keep the Premier League interesting. No true football fan wants a dull league.

Ben Duggan:, external Hoping for a Southampton win - feel sorry for Villas form. Good to see that Long starts. Let's go get a good 3 points.

Matthew Bennett:, external Southampton won't last, good early season run. Look at their next games now...I think we'll see Saints dive as Gunners surface.