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Virgil van Dijk makes Southampton return as Under-23’s lose 4-0

By Chris Hughes

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Fans, players and officals take part in a minutes silence in memory of Bill Green a ex Southampton scout who passed away this week prior to the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers at St Mary's Stadium on August 23, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Fans, players and officals take part in a minutes silence in memory of Bill Green a ex Southampton scout who passed away this week prior to the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers at St Mary's Stadium on August 23, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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After a summer of speculation, Virgil van Dijk made his Southampton return tonight, as the Under-23 side lost 4-0 to Aston Villa.

Many Southampton fans thought they were never seen the Dutchman play in a Southampton shirt again during his transfer window, however when September 1st rolled around he was still on the the club’s books.

The defender has been making his return to fitness since getting injured in January against Leicester, having not featured in pre-season following his transfer request and public demands to leave the club.

Van Dijk was named alongside the newly-acquired Jan Bednarek with Alex McCarthy behind them in goal – Alfie Jones was the side’s captain whilst the highly-rated Nathan Tella started out on the right.

Next: Saints 0-2 Watford: Three takeaways

NORWICH, ENGLAND – JANUARY 07: Virgil van Dijk of Southampton looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Norwich City and Southampton at Carrow Road on January 7, 2017 in Norwich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
NORWICH, ENGLAND – JANUARY 07: Virgil van Dijk of Southampton looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Norwich City and Southampton at Carrow Road on January 7, 2017 in Norwich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) /

Despite the appealing line-up however, Aston Villa’s Under-23 side walked right over Radhi Jaidi’s men, scoring twice either side of half-time to coast to a 4-0 victory in the Premier League 2.

Winger Jordan Cox opened the scoreline early in the game with a low, placed strike by McCarthy in the 13th minute.

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Cox’s second, which came just over ten minutes later, was a much more emphatic strike, finding the top corner past McCarthy who couldn’t do anything to stop the teenager’s effort.

Corey Blackett-Taylor grabbed their third goal shortly after half time when a poor back pass saw the youngster one-on-one with Saints’ back-up stopper, who was comfortably beaten by the Villa man.

Five minutes later and they had a fourth through Callum O’Hare, with Virgil and Bednarek defending gingerly at the back and allowing the attacker to run at the defence, before calmly slotting it past Macca.

It was a return to forget for van Dijk, who in truth showed little effort defensively as he made his return to fitness.

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