Aston Villa 1-3 Southampton: Premier League – Saints Player Ratings
By Erik Franzo
Southampton went to Aston Villa and came away with a crucial 3-1 victory highlighted by a Danny Ings brace.
The Saints moved out of the relegation zone with the win at Villa Park and should be in a positive frame of mind heading into the festive fixtures. Danny Ings starred again, playing alongside Shane Long as a front two. Stuart Armstrong returned to the starting eleven and put together a good performance in place of an injured Moussa Djenepo.
The opening of the match was back and forth, and the defining play may have came in the 15th minute. Southampton Academy graduate Matt Targett flashed a cross through the Saints’ box, and Alex McCarthy came up with a huge save. A goal down, the mentality of the entire game could have changed, but instead it was Southampton who would go ahead via Danny Ings just six minutes later.
Jan Bednarek won a key header, James Ward-Prowse moved the ball forward quickly, and Nathan Redmond spotted Shane Long spinning off his defender. Long kept his composure and tried to slot one far post, forcing Villa keeper Tom Heaton to push the ball right into the path of crashing Danny Ings. A true team goal to get the scoring started.
Jack Stephens had a game to remember. The beautiful glancing header aside, he defended really really well. In all honestly, it was one of his best games in Southampton kit. Stephens has improved in the air, defended Jack Grealish well, and is taking command of a makeshift back line. For all the criticism he too often faces, this was a high quality performance, and his player rating reflects his play!
Southampton desperately needed this game, and now have crucial wins against the current bottom three of Villa, Norwich, and Watford. The win today erases some of the ill feelings from losses against Newcastle and West Ham, and gives fans an early Holiday gift. Here are the player ratings for the Saints from the 3-1 victory over Aston Villa.