Saints to pile on Aston Villa's misery
This week's Friday night kick-off in the Barclays Premier League sees 14th take on 15th at St. Mary's Stadium. Southampton haven't put much form together thus far in the top tier, but did come away from Watford last time with all three points. Meanwhile, Aston Villa have lost their last four and have been shipping goals at an alarming rate. Dean Smith has the air of someone scratching around in the dark to find a possible solution, and even against opposition who are weaker on paper, he might find that the worst is yet to come. Read our preview here:
Livra's a quick study
One of the major plus points for the Saints this term has been the rise to prominence of flying right-back Tino Livramento. The former Chelsea academy graduate left Stamford Bridge to find a clearer path to first team football, and he has certainly claimed that since the move to Hampshire. On Thursday morning, he was nominated for Player of the Month, having excelled down the flank under Ralph Hasenhüttl, even if results haven't necessarily always gone their way. Tomorrow, he'll be tasked with keeping inside forward Leon Bailey quiet whilst also providing support to the striker partnership of Che Adams and Adam Armstrong. With only Jack Stephens certain to miss out, the XI should be as strong as it can currently be, and Armando Broja, a temporary capture from the Blues, will be waiting on the bench should a change of approach be required up top. Southampton have rarely been in the position of having at least three forwards who can be relied upon to score goals.
Two-tone Tyrone
A case of mistaken identity summed up Villa's heavy home loss against fellow claret and blue outfit West Ham United; Ezri Konsa was eventually dismissed, and will be suspended for Friday. Kortney Hause was lucky not to join him on two occasions, and there's a real fragility in the defensive unit at this point in time; the Villains have shipped 12 in their last four, and skipper Tyrone Mings has looked unable to stem the tide. Axel Tuanzebe, on loan from Manchester United for a third occasion, will line up alongside him, and the duo will have their hands full to keep the likes of Adams, Armstrong, and possibly Broja later on at bay. Elsewhere, injuries to Douglas Luiz and Trézéguet hamper Smith's options in midfield and on the wings, and the almost certain absence of Danny Ings is a further blow.
Smith's losing his trade
There is a palpable sense that some sections of Aston Villa supporters, whilst understanding and to a degree sympathetic towards Smith because of the need to gel new recruits alongside a slew of absentees, are starting to openly question his credentials. Few really expected a sudden charge up the table, even if Jack Grealish's 'replacements' enhanced the team as a whole. Southampton ought to take full advantage of the situation - betway have odds of 2.05 for a home win.
