FT: Southampton 1-0 Aston Villa - Armstrong with early opener
Saints have now taken 10 points from last four matches
Villa have lost last five league games
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Southampton 1-0 Aston Villa
Michael Brown
Former Man City midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live
It was poor marking from Villa. He sneaks in from the edge of the area. He's lookng at the goal, he has time. He puts it over.
Southampton 1-0 Aston Villa
Southampton should really double their lead, but this falls to the wrong Armstrong.
Villa are all over the place at the back, allowing a corner to drift all the way to Stuart Armstrong at the far post.
The Scotland international is in acres of space with plenty of time but screws his effort horribly wide.
Where was Adam when they needed him?
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I can see why we are conceding goals so easily this season. The defence did not deal with the looping ball forward. No intent at all and a good instinctive finish. Could be a long night for Villa and Dean Smith.
Pete, London
Kane a passenger last night, Mings the same tonight.... what games does Southgate watch when picking his teams?
Rich
Southampton 1-0 Aston Villa
Southampton causing problems for themselves and Villa almost equalise.
The hosts give the ball away inside their own half and eventual Emiliano Buendia is allowed to get a shot off, it is well struck, but Alex McCarthy can drop on it low to his right.
#bbcfootball
Jon Evans: Why on earth are Cash and Tuanzebe not playing the ball? Stick a head on it, get your body in there. Basic defending. Really poor.
Southampton 1-0 Aston Villa
Anything you can do...!
Aston Villa looking to get back on terms after a shocking start but John McGinn's long range drive drifts narrowly over the bar.
Southampton 1-0 Aston Villa
Michael Brown
Former Man City midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live
Ridiculous finish. Che Adams causes confusion, it hits Matty Cash. Adam Armstrong just hits it, unleashes a left-footed strike. What a start. What a goal.
Adam Armstrong
What a start!!
There is no sign of any danger when James Ward-Prowse gets to a loose ball on the halfway line, which loops towards the edge of the box.
Matty Cash loses his bearings and can't judge the flight of the ball allowing Adam Armstrong to break his goal drought in magnificent fashion, smashing a first-time left-footed strike into the top corner of the net.
What technique that was from Armstrong, he is over the moon with that goal.
Image source, Getty ImagesSouthampton 0-0 Aston Villa
November means winter ball time and the new Premier League one looks an absolute beauty...
Image source, Getty ImagesSouthampton 0-0 Aston Villa
The weekend starts here.
Away we go at St Mary's.
Southampton v Aston Villa (20:00 GMT)
Michael Brown
Former Man City midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live
Villa have tried a back four, a back five. They are trying to find a formula, a winning way. The pressure will be building. It's an interesting game.
Southampton v Aston Villa (20:00 GMT)
Clinton Morrison
Former Republic of Ireland striker on BBC Radio 5 Live
Aston Villa need to get results. At the weekend, you always thought West Ham would win. Some of the Villa fans weren't happy wth the subs.
They have a few injuries but they have to start producing. They backed Dean Smith in the summer.
Southampton v Aston Villa (20:00 GMT)
Southampton
Image source, Getty ImagesAdam Armstrong scored from his second Premier League shot attempt as a Southampton player (in the opening match round at Everton), but has failed to net from all 25 Premier League shot attempts since.
Southampton v Aston Villa (20:00 GMT)
Southampton
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl tells Sky Sports: "We have not been conceding that many goals in the last three games and scored a few so that is a good mixture. Now is the next tough one for us.
"It is important to know that we will have time to recover so no need to hold anything back today.
"Nathan Redmond tested positive but is fine at home. Adam Armstrong is a different type of player and hopefully can keep on going and get back to the level that we need from him.
"We are all under pressure all the time, everyone needs the points to survive."
Southampton v Aston Villa (20:00 GMT)
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Valley during the 1950s
Southampton have also gone three Premier League games without defeat on a Friday since the record 9-0 home loss v Leicester in October 2019.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa are winless in 13 top-flight away fixtures played on a Friday since a 4-1 victory at Charlton Athletic in April 1950 (D3, L10).
Southampton v Aston Villa (20:00 GMT)
Aston Villa
Image source, Getty ImagesAston Villa have conceded three goals or more in three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since December 2012.
Only Norwich and Newcastle have a worse defensive record in the division this season than Villa, who have conceded 19 goals.
Southampton v Aston Villa (20:00 GMT)
Aston Villa
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith tells Sky Sports: "I think the mood is determined, we have been disappointed with the results in a results-based industry. This is a tough place to come so we have to be at our best.
"Never turning down the option to attack with pace and we have to get back to that. We have to get back to keeping the ball out of the net and cutting out individual mistakes. The group want to battle and overturn the form."
Southampton v Aston Villa (20:00 GMT)
Southampton
Image source, Getty ImagesThere have only been eight goals at St. Mary's this season, the fewest in the division.
Not wanting to alarm you about the lack of goalmouth entertainment but Southampton's winning goal against Watford last weekend was their only shot on target of the game.
BBC Two
There's some FA Cup first-round action on BBC Two this evening as AFC Sudbury take on Colchester United.
Tune in.
Southampton v Aston Villa (20:00 GMT)
Aston Villa
Image source, Getty ImagesNo sign of panic from Dean Smith and troops
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith is refusing to panic despite growing pressure due to a poor run of form.
Four successive Premier League defeats, most recently against West Ham last weekend, have seen Villa drop to 15th, and fan unrest has increased.
But the former Brentford manager says he is not overly concerned about his future.
"I think the perception from outside of the football club is always different," Smith said.
"If you're asking me if I sleep well, yes, I sleep well. I still play well at golf. My wife is still talking to me so, if that answers your question, then yes, I feel fine.
"There is no panic, we're in control and determined to put things right. There has been a reaction from all the players because they are disappointed with the results."