Victory at Villa vital for Southampton

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman will be hoping his team can continue their good form through the difficult set of fixtures in the next month

As we all know Southampton have been this season’s surprise package in the Premier League. Losing their boss and seemingly a lot of their star players has only made them stronger.

The Saints face a trip to struggling Aston Villa tonight, knowing that a win is necessary with a tough run of fixtures to come in the next month or so.

Second

Ronald Koeman’s side currently sit second in the Premier League table, seven points behind league leaders Chelsea and a point ahead of champions Manchester City.

Their campaign so far has been incredible considering that many plaudits were tipping the Saints to be struggling against the drop this season.

Instead under canny Dutchman Koeman they are still playing possession football, but are slightly more direct in their approach than last season, which has so far paid off for the men from the south coast.

The Saints have claimed seven wins in their last ten games in all competitions and conceded just five goals in the Premier League, the least of any team in the top-flight. Their seven clean sheets from 11 games prove that they have a very solid defensive unit.

Test

The Saints have performed remarkably well in the first 12 games of the Premier League campaign, but the real acid test lies in the games between now and Christmas. The Saints face Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea before new year.

These games will test the strength of the Saints team. Those teams were all regarded as teams who were likely to challenge for a place in the Premier League’s top four this season. The five aforementioned teams are ones that are considered quality teams and the Saints may have to be at their best to come through that run of games unscathed.

Chance

Ronald Koeman’s side really need a victory at struggling Aston Villa this evening. Villa are in terrible form, losing six out of their last seven Premier League games, including a run of six straight top-flight defeats.

The Villans brought to an end that losing run with a goalless draw at West Ham last time out, but Southampton will see this as a chance to claim maximum points against a team just one point above the relegation zone.

Villa have scored the least amount of goals of any team in the top-flight, having found the net just five times this season. With the Saints strong defence and confidence high among the ranks they will be confident of a victory at Villa Park.

Exciting

Southampton have been one of the most exciting teams in the Premier League this season. The way they play is a breath of fresh air and a joy to watch. The Saints have now become a favourite with the neutrals and they would be a popular qualifier for the Champions League if they did stay in the top four.

That is a big if at the moment though. If Koeman’s side can emerge from that difficult run of fixtures then they could have a big chance of claiming one of those valuable Champions League spots this season.

Europe

Even if the Saints dropped out of the top four, then a top six finish and a possible place in the Europa League would not be a disaster for the men from the south coast.

Ronald Koeman arrived in England with a decent reputation as a coach, if he guides Southampton to a top six or a top four finish his reputation would go through the roof. Let’s just hope he has more loyalty than predecessor Mauricio Pochettino.

Early

It is still very early in the Premier League campaign, but Southampton have started like they mean real business this season. Whatever happens from now until the end of the season Southampton have dumbfounded their critics and not fell apart in the face of adversity.

A lot of the so called big clubs could learn a lot from the way that Southampton is run, as the Saints look to have a bright future. As they have proven this season even if those so called bigger clubs try and steal their players they will bounce back and succeed where other clubs continue to fail.

Can Southampton make the top four this season?