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Southampton 2-0 Aston Villa: Premier League – Saints Player Ratings

By Erik Franzo

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Stuart Armstrong of Southampton celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Aston Villa at St Mary's Stadium on February 22, 2020 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Stuart Armstrong of Southampton celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Aston Villa at St Mary's Stadium on February 22, 2020 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images) /
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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 22: Southampton’s Che Adams attacks during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Aston Villa at St Mary’s Stadium on February 22, 2020 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 22: Southampton’s Che Adams attacks during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Aston Villa at St Mary’s Stadium on February 22, 2020 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images) /

Southampton dominated Aston Villa from start to finish highlighted by bookend goals from Shane Long and Stuart Armstrong.

The prematch talk surrounded the voids left by injured Saints Nathan Redmond, Sofiane Boufal, and Kyle Walker-Peters.  Moussa Djenepo was the shoe-in replacement on the wing, and many thought Yan Valery would return at right-back.

Instead Ralph Hasenhuttl handed a surprise Premier League debut to Will Smallbone at centre-mid and shifted James Ward-Prowse to defence.

Southampton were at it from the start with five attacking set pieces in a matter of minutes.  They finished the match with a total of 9 corner kicks, but were unable to convert from dead balls.  The Saints would end up with two goals from the run of play, spurned by the team’s hard work and effort throughout the match.

Moussa Djenepo stood out from the first whistle, taking players on and creating opportunities.  He took a page from Shane Long and did not give up on a ball, cutting it back to, no other than, Shane Long at the near post for the first goal.

Aston Villa hung around in the match until the very end, but not by their own accord.  Southampton were not clinical in front of net and Danny Ings had only one chance fall his way.  Djenepo certainly should have scored and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was denied on his volley marking one of the Saints’ better opportunities.  Regardless of controlling play, denying Villa possession, limiting them to just one shot on target, Southampton still figured out how to leave it late.

Ings and Long came off in a double switch and Michael Obafemi and Che Adams entered.  With the game opening up, surely one of the new strikers would find a goal?  Adams created plenty of chances himself, taking three shots, two of which were blocked by Villa defenders.

However, he did contribute with a counter-attack assist.  Stuart Armstrong somehow found the legs in the 94th minute and was rewarded with an open goal finish with Pepe Reina still at midfield.

Clinical deficiency aside, Southampton were the clear better team and deserved the 2-0 win.  Here are the player ratings for the Saints as they moved three points closer to safety.