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Aston Villa vs Southampton: A tactical and statistical review of Saints’ win

By Marc Walker

Southampton's English midfielder James Ward-Prowse (L) celebrates after scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Southampton at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on November 1, 2020. (Photo by Gareth Copley / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GARETH COPLEY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Southampton's English midfielder James Ward-Prowse (L) celebrates after scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Southampton at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on November 1, 2020. (Photo by Gareth Copley / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GARETH COPLEY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Finishing clinic wins the game for Saints

Expected goals is a relatively new addition to the football statistics database but is useful as showing you how a team did in terms of creating and finishing chances.

The higher the number, the more big chances a team has had during a game and, therefore, has had more chances to get goals in the 90 minutes.

During their 4-3 win at Aston Villa, Saints had an expected goals total of 0.80 at the full-time whistle – meaning that they would be expected to score 0.80 goals from the chances they created.

Aston Villa’s total was 2.67, and the difference between these and the actual scoreline helps to show the quality of finishing on show from Saints.

The two free-kicks strikes from James Ward-Prowse and Danny Ings’ beautiful fourth in the second-half were exquisite and help to show the confidence that Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side has at the moment.

(xG totals via The xG philosophy)