Prediction: Southampton vs Aston Villa

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet

In what could prove to be an enjoyable affair from St. Mary’s on Saturday afternoon, Southampton will host Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.

Southampton

Starting with the hosts, while Southampton might have initially struggled to find their feet under new boss Nathan Jones, the Saints are enjoying a real recent flurry. Although the former Luton boss might still find his side sat rock-bottom of the Premier League table, they have undoubtedly breathed life back into their campaign. Mounting a stellar comeback away at fellow strugglers Everton last weekend as they snatched what could be a crucial 2-1 victory at Goodison Park, the south coast outfit will be desperate for his side to lay down another marker on Saturday afternoon. Likewise, shocking almost everyone as they booked their EFL Cup semi-final ticket on January 11th thanks to a famous 2-0 win at home against Manchester City, Southampton have now won each of their last three domestic showdowns on the spin. Enjoying their longest winning run since March 2022, Jones’ side could be smelling a chance here.

Team News

In what could be a real boost for Southampton this weekend, Jones is hopeful that the trio of Theo Walcott, Alex McCarthy and Armel Bella-Kotchap could all feature at St. Mary’s.

Bagging both goals away at Goodison Park last weekend and with five strikes in his previous six appearances, England international James Ward-Prowse will have a key role to play here.

Aston Villa

As for the visitors, while Aston Villa might not have been at their best last weekend, Unai Emery’s side did claim another crucial victory on home soil. Eventually edging their way past relegation scrappers Leeds thanks to a 2-1 win in the Midlands, the former Arsenal boss is enjoying a bright start to life at Villa Park. However, suffering a remarkable FA Cup exit on January 8th as they were hit with a 2-1 loss against League Two outfit Stevenage, the Clarets will now be hoping to find some stability at the back. Marking their return from the World Cup break on Boxing Day as they were hit with a 3-1 loss at home against Liverpool, Saturday’s guests have recorded just a single domestic clean sheet from any of their last nine attempts across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to October 23rd.

Team News

Despite limping off in last weekend’s 2-1 victory against Leeds, Aston Villa are hopeful that attacking talisman Ollie Watkins will be able to feature on Saturday afternoon.

However, Emery’s side will travel to St. Mary’s without the likes of Lucas Digne, John McGinn, Diego Carlos and Jed Steer. However, new arrival Alex Moreno should make a full debut here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met back on September 16th, Aston Villa picked up a 1-0 victory on home soil.
• Southampton have won each of their previous three domestic matchups across all competitions.
• Aston Villa have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their last nine domestic matchups across all formats.
• England international James Ward-Prowse has scored five goals in his last six domestic appearances.
• Six of Southampton’s last seven Premier League fixtures at St. Mary’s have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Watching Southampton storm their way to a three-match domestic winning run, neutrals could be treated to another enjoyable affair from St. Mary’s. While Aston Villa might have secured that hard-fought 2-1 victory at home against Leeds last weekend, Emery will have somewhat of a headache over his side’s defensive struggles. With just a single domestic clean sheet to their name from any of their previous nine appearances, we could have chances come thick and fast here. Likewise, with the Saints now seeing six of their last seven Premier League contests on the south coast finish with both teams finding the net, we’re backing a similar outcome this weekend.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet