Saints Marching
Fansided

Aston Villa vs Southampton: Premier League – Key Moments

By Joe Mcindoe

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Danny Ings of Southampton celebrates with team mates after scoring their fourth goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Southampton at Villa Park on November 01, 2020 in Birmingham, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Danny Ings of Southampton celebrates with team mates after scoring their fourth goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Southampton at Villa Park on November 01, 2020 in Birmingham, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Southampton’s English midfielder James Ward-Prowse (R) scores (Photo by MICHAEL STEELE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Southampton’s English midfielder James Ward-Prowse (R) scores (Photo by MICHAEL STEELE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Prowse Double Delight

Since picking up the captaincy last season James Ward-Prowse has appeared to wear the armband well. The midfielder isn’t afraid to get stuck in, is a consistent performer who rarely puts a foot wrong, and who has a dangerous set piece ability.

The afternoon’s action saw the England man’s best performance in a Southampton shirt. With three goals coming from set pieces, wherever the number eight wanted the ball it landed.

JWP was locked in right from the start of the contest, delivering a cracking corner ball for Adams to convert. The goal was ruled out for offside, but Prowse was undeterred.

20 minutes on the clock, Ward-Prowse delivered a pinpoint freekick into the heart of the box. Jannik Vestergaard rose to meet the cross and fire home.

The youth academy product then got himself on the scoresheet just 13 minutes later. James struck an exquisite freekick from the centre of the D. The ball flew past the wall, before nestling past the diving keeper into the left-hand corner.

They say lightning doesn’t strike twice. Luckily, this does not apply to James Ward -Prowse and free kicks.

The 26-year-old gained another set piece opportunity after a handball, just outside the penalty area.

Slightly closer this time, but with exactly the same result. Up, over, and in.

Prowse struck the third blow just before half-time which set his side on course for all three points.

As talkSPORT notes, with eight freekick goals the birthday boy becomes the club’s leading Premier league scorer from this area. He surpasses club legend Matt Le Tissier as a result.

The radio station also credits him with becoming the first player to score 2 free kicks in a match since Christian Eriksen in 2015.