Confidence seeping through the Southampton side as Paulo Gazzaniga rushes to the edge of his area to collect a high ball with ease, he gave a big shout as he came out there, superb goalkeeping taking the pressure off his defenders.

Charlie Smith:, external Tim Sherwood does not do defence. It can be a great strength but when exposed it can also be the most heinous of weaknesses.

Shane Long and Graziano Pelle are causing the Aston Villa backline problem after problem, they just cannot cope with Pelle's power and Long's pace. Tim Sherwood is back in his chair with a resigned look on his face. Like his club's supporters, he will want to leave St Mary's as quickly as possible after this showing.

Ian Holloway
Ex-Blackpool and Crystal Palace manager on BBC Radio 5 live

"The discipline in Southampton's lines has been immense, but it's been like that all season. They've kept their shape tremendously well. This could be a cricket score the way things are going with Southampton's confidence. Tim Sherwood has got to get his full-backs to tuck in more."

Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood is out of his seat, patrolling the touchline but there's nothing he can do at the moment. Southampton go forward again, but Graziano Pelle's shot is blocked well by Jores Okore.

Simon Holman:, external Mane Mane Mane must be funny, in Southampton's world.

Ian Holloway
Ex-Blackpool and Crystal Palace manager on BBC Radio 5 live

"This is unbelievable. There's an apathy about Villa, they are not doing their jobs. The midfielders are tracking to their men, they have got to try to regain their composure. This is a disaster for Villa at the moment, this could be shattering for them. They only need one more win. But in the Premier League that's huge and then there's the FA Cup Final for them to think about."

Aston Villa need to salvage some pride in this match because this has been a shocker of a performance so far. What can Tim Sherwood's side do now?

Ian Holloway
Ex-Blackpool and Crystal Palace manager on BBC Radio 5 live

"A little lad asked me for a photograph before the game, and I asked him who his favourite player was, and he said 'Mane'. I can see why now."

Unbelievable! Aston Villa fans already walking out of the stadium, but who can blame them?! They have been destroyed so far. A complete shambles at the back.

And there is number four.

Another easy one for Southampton, who have had their stroke of fortune today. Graziano Pelle's effort is saved by Shay Given, but the ball falls into the path of Shane Long, who passes it into the back of the net. A rout already!

Southampton continue to pile forward and they could easily get six or seven here today. The crowd at St Mary's are almost silent, they are stunned, they can't believe what they are seeing from their side.

Nabil Hassan
BBC Sport at St Mary's Stadium

"Absolute bedlam here at St Mary's and an absolute privilege to witness Sadio Mane's two minute 56 second hat trick. Aston Villa are in disarray here, they are a shambles. I just can't believe it," former Southampton manager Dave Merrington tells BBC Radio Solent."

Fastest Premier League hat-trick ever from Sadio Mane, timed at two minutes and 56 seconds.

Ian Holloway
Ex-Blackpool and Crystal Palace manager on BBC Radio 5 live

"Mane's pace was electric. I am astounded at his pace and strength. I am shellshocked by Villa, this is unbelievable, I have to pinch myself! What is going on? Villa have been in pretty good form of late."

Holes everywhere in the Aston Villa defence, the confidence has gone completely. Chance for James Ward-Prowse as he ghosts forward unchallenged but his short is straight at Shay Given.

GOALLLLLLL!!!!!!! INCREDIBLE SCENES! And it's Sadio Mane AGAIN!

Robbie Fowler's hat-trick all those years ago against Arsenal was quick, this one is quicker and the third is a beauty. He is picked out at the edge of the box, and slots in a superb first-time effort into the top corner of the net.

This is crazy, this is madness. Absolute carnage at St Mary's.

Wow! Shocking defending from Aston Villa, architects of their own downfall. It's that man Sadio Mane again, nipping in after Ron Vlaar's backpass falls short of Shay Given, and Mane pops the ball into an open net.

84 seconds between the two goals.

Chance at one end, goal at the other...

A big punt up field and Graziano Pelle flicks the ball on. Winger Sadio Mane is quickest on to it and needs some luck, as the ball ricochets back off Shay Given, giving him an open goal. He can't miss!

Big chance for Aston Villa...

You have to do better Christian Benteke. The Belgian is played in with only Paulo Gazzaniga to beat, but his outside-of-the-foot finish goes wide. Had to put his left peg through it!