Trezeguet breaks down the right and pulls it back for Conor Hourihane, whose 20-yard strike is blocked.

And in a bid to shore things up, Villa boss Dean Smith brings on midfielder Conor Hourihane for Ezri Konsa, who was on a yellow card.

Another Southampton attack finds captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in space about 25 yards out and Pepe Reina has to get done well to save Hojbjerg's left-footed strike.

The game seems to be opening up now.

Shane Long lays off for Moussa Djenepo about 25 yards out. The Mali winger has a look at goal but then slices it high and wide of the Villa goal.

Stuart Armstrong latches onto the ball in the Villa box and takes it wide of onrushing keeper Pepe Reina but can only steer it into the side-netting from an almost impossible angle.

Southampton are given a free-kick on the left wing. Up go the defenders and Jack Stephens turns Ryan Bertrand's outswinger just wide at the near post.

This time a Jack Grealish cross comes off Jack Stephens for a corner, which is claimed by home keeper Alex McCarthy.

Villa find Jack Grealish down the left and he tries to stand up a cross towards the back post but it drifts over the bar and behind for a goal-kick.

The corner falls to Danny Ings, who scuffs a shot from inside the box, before Stuart Armstrong's shot is blocked.

Southampton win a couple of corners in quick succession - and they win another as Villa's Marvelous Nakamba turns James Ward-Prowse's delivery not far wide of his own goal.

Positive start to the second half for Villa as they win a corner down the left wing. Alex McCarthy comes out to punch it clear and is given a free-kick after being clattered by Douglas Luiz in the process.

Match of the Day commentator Steve Wilson has just said that Dean Smith had some words with referee Craig Pawson at half-time.

Guess the Villa boss wasn't just annoyed with his players then. Not sure why though. The challenge on Anwar El Ghazi perhaps?

Southampton get the second half started at St Mary's.

Aston Villa failed to have a single attempt on goal in the first half against Southampton – the first time the Saints have prevented their opponents from having a shot in the opening 45 minutes of a Premier League game since April 2014, also against Aston Villa.

The players walk down the tunnel and Dean Smith does NOT look happy.

The Villa boss is sure to have a few stern words with his players now after a lacklustre first half.

Southampton are well worth their one-goal lead as they look to end a run of three straight defeats in all competitions.

The free-kick is a poor delivery by Ryan Bertrand. It's blocked at the near post and the whistle goes for half-time.

The corner is helped on, away from danger, but Southampton keep the pressure on.

Moussa Djenepo skips past Ezri Konsa's lunging challenge and it's a free-kick. Little contact but the Villa defender is shown a yellow card.

Bit harsh, especially when you consider that challenge by Tottenham's Giovano lo Celso against Chelsea earlier, for which he wasn't even booked.

Despite having a big bandage round his head, Moussa Djenepo takes on Ezri Konsa and his cross is blocked for a throw-in.

Moments later Ryan Bertrand wins a corner on the left wing.

Villa have four added minutes to try to nick an equaliser before half-time at St Mary's.

Southampton give away another free-kick on Jack Grealish as Danny Ings tugs him back on the half-way line. Grealish shows his frustration before Villa restart play. Can they forge a chance before the break?