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Southampton vs Aston Villa: Key Players in Saints Victory this Weekend

By Ryan Borowski

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 had a decisive victory over Aston Villa this Saturday at St. Mary’s in a match that they could have scored 4 or 5 goals.

The team with the worst home record in the Premier League probably had their best performance at home this Saturday and picked up a crucial 3 points and get that much closer to ensuring their safety.

It was a match where any player could be mentioned in this piece but I am going to boil it down to three with one special shout out for Shane Long who opened the match with a goal and just had another solid performance in general.

So let’s get started

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 04: William Smallbone of Southampton celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the FA Cup Third Round match between Southampton FC and Huddersfield Town at St. Mary’s Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 04: William Smallbone of Southampton celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the FA Cup Third Round match between Southampton FC and Huddersfield Town at St. Mary’s Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /

Will Smallbone

The freshly turned 20-year-old received probably the best gift a 20-year-old academy player could receive when Ralph handed him his Premier League debut on Saturday.

The midfielder looked calm and collected all afternoon and if you had not known who he was you would not have believed it was his Premier League debut.

He had 46 touches, completed 36 passes and managed to find the post with his first shot. It was really a promising performance and if it is a sign for things to come it seems like we have another academy success on our hands.

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