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Southampton vs Aston Villa Predictions and Betting Tips
Southampton vs Aston Villa Key Stats:
- Southampton have lost just three of their ten Premier League games this season.
- Aston Villa have scored in all but one of their ten league fixtures this term.
- Aston Villa have scored in 100% of their last four meetings with Southampton.
- The Villains have conceded a whopping 12 goals in their last four league tests.
Plucky Saints finding their feet
Southampton had to wait until matchday eight to record their first victory of the new campaign, though their bounty of seven points from nine following their maiden win against Leeds on October 16 points to a prolonged upswing in fortunes.
The Saints had played well last Tuesday in a Carabao Cup clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and despite their eventual penalty kick exit against the Blues, Southampton looked a more confident unit in their subsequent 1-0 league win at Watford shortly after.
Che Adams – who scored Southampton’s effort at Chelsea in midweek – rifled home a superb winning goal against the Hornets and the Scottish international’s return to form is a timely one.
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith under pressure
A run of four straight Premier League defeats has cranked up the pressure on under-fire Villa manager Dean Smith and stories are starting to surface hinting that the 50-year-old’s reign with the Villains is under serious threat.
Villa shipped an alarmingly high ten goals in their last three losses and their 4-1 reverse at home to West Ham on Sunday sparked a furious reaction from the stands at Villa Park.
A stark turnaround in fortunes is needed if Smith is to keep hold of his job, though the under-pressure coach will be without the services of key defender Ezri Konsa this week after the centre-half was dismissed against the Hammers.
Southampton vs Aston Villa Predictions
Aston Villa’s results have regressed to the point that Dean Smith is under major scrutiny, though the Villains have at least remained consistent goalscorers.
Villa have registered in all but one of their ten Premier League fixtures this season and they carry enough threat in the final third to keep their strike-rate percentage high at Southampton on Friday.
12 goals conceded in their last four league tussles is a difficult record to ignore however and a clean sheet seems unlikely at St. Mary’s Stadium in the circumstances, especially with Ezri Konsa absent.
With that considered, backing both teams to score is advised at the prices on offer this week, while a stake on Aston Villa to score more goals in the second half than the first also catches the eye.
Villa have hit 11 of their 14 goals this season after the interval and their habit of kicking into gear after the break could be worth backing.
High spirits at Staplewood ?
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) November 2, 2021
Southampton vs Aston Villa team news
Southampton team news
Jack Stephens is absent for the Saints with a knee injury while Armando Broja is touch and go following an ankle complaint. Ralph Hasenhüttl could choose to keep faith with the same XI that beat Watford 1-0 last week.
Aston Villa team news
Jacob Ramsey and Douglas Luiz are both set to miss out on Friday, while former Southampton star Danny Ings is expected to sit out the game against his old employers. Ezri Konsa is suspended, while Morgan Sanson and Bertrand Traore are ill and doubtful.
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