Prediction: Southampton vs Aston Villa

Verdict: Each groups to attain

Greatest Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet

In what might show to be an fulfilling affair from St. Mary’s on Saturday afternoon, Southampton will host Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.

Southampton

Beginning with the hosts, whereas Southampton may need initially struggled to seek out their toes below new boss Nathan Jones, the Saints are having fun with an actual latest flurry. Though the previous Luton boss would possibly nonetheless discover his facet sat rock-bottom of the Premier League desk, they’ve undoubtedly breathed life again into their marketing campaign. Mounting a stellar comeback away at fellow strugglers Everton final weekend as they snatched what could possibly be a vital 2-1 victory at Goodison Park, the south coast outfit will likely be determined for his facet to put down one other marker on Saturday afternoon. Likewise, surprising nearly everybody as they booked their EFL Cup semi-final ticket on January eleventh because of a well-known 2-0 win at dwelling in opposition to Manchester Metropolis, Southampton have now received every of their final three home showdowns on the spin. Having fun with their longest profitable run since March 2022, Jones’ facet could possibly be smelling an opportunity right here.

Group Information

In what could possibly be an actual enhance for Southampton this weekend, Jones is hopeful that the trio of Theo Walcott, Alex McCarthy and Armel Bella-Kotchap might all function at St. Mary’s.

Bagging each targets away at Goodison Park final weekend and with 5 strikes in his earlier six appearances, England worldwide James Ward-Prowse may have a key function to play right here.

Aston Villa

As for the guests, whereas Aston Villa won’t have been at their finest final weekend, Unai Emery’s facet did declare one other essential victory on dwelling soil. Ultimately edging their well beyond relegation scrappers Leeds because of a 2-1 win within the Midlands, the previous Arsenal boss is having fun with a vibrant begin to life at Villa Park. Nonetheless, struggling a exceptional FA Cup exit on January eighth as they have been hit with a 2-1 loss in opposition to League Two outfit Stevenage, the Clarets will now be hoping to seek out some stability on the again. Marking their return from the World Cup break on Boxing Day as they have been hit with a 3-1 loss at dwelling in opposition to Liverpool, Saturday’s company have recorded only a single home clear sheet from any of their final 9 makes an attempt throughout all competitions – a run that stems all the way in which again to October twenty third.

Group Information

Regardless of limping off in final weekend’s 2-1 victory in opposition to Leeds, Aston Villa are hopeful that attacking talisman Ollie Watkins will be capable of function on Saturday afternoon.

Nonetheless, Emery’s facet will journey to St. Mary’s with out the likes of Lucas Digne, John McGinn, Diego Carlos and Jed Steer. Nonetheless, new arrival Alex Moreno ought to make a full debut right here.

Key Components to Think about

When the 2 sides final met again on September sixteenth, Aston Villa picked up a 1-0 victory on dwelling soil.
Southampton have received every of their earlier three home matchups throughout all competitions.
Aston Villa have recorded only a single clear sheet from any of their final 9 home matchups throughout all codecs.
England worldwide James Ward-Prowse has scored 5 targets in his final six home appearances.
Six of Southampton’s final seven Premier League fixtures at St. Mary’s have completed with each groups discovering the online.

Conclusion

Watching Southampton storm their option to a three-match home profitable run, neutrals could possibly be handled to a different fulfilling affair from St. Mary’s. Whereas Aston Villa may need secured that hard-fought 2-1 victory at dwelling in opposition to Leeds final weekend, Emery may have considerably of a headache over his facet’s defensive struggles. With only a single home clear sheet to their identify from any of their earlier 9 appearances, we might have possibilities come thick and quick right here. Likewise, with the Saints now seeing six of their final seven Premier League contests on the south coast end with each groups discovering the online, we’re backing an analogous consequence this weekend.