CLOSE! Villa go ever so close to a consolation goal at the other end as Hutton forces goal-line clearance.
90' +4
S. Mané has scored a goal for Southampton! Assist by Cédric Soares.
It's a lovely cross by Cedric is who able to pick out Mane in the box.
GOAL! Mane all but secures the three-points for Southampton as he finds himself unmarked and is able to produce a bullet header to put the visitors out of sight. A great header by the striker but poor defending again by Villa.
90' +2
Villa fans aren't giving up easily and the Holte End continue to urge their side on. Cissokho is set on his way by Grealish, but the ball ends up back with the youngster who tries a curling shot. Forster will deal with them all day long.
90'
The Saints are in for a nervy end to the game as the fourth official announces FIVE minutes of added time. Eric Black is urging his side forward. The only trouble for Villa is, if they get too far forward, they leave themselves horribly exposed at the back. Southampton can and will exploit any gaps in the hosts' defence.
88'
LONG AGAIN! How many chances does the striker want!? Southampton should have been out of sight a long time ago but it's a string of poor touches from Long and the ball is out for a corner. There are a number of ironic cheers from the crowd as Guzan plucks Tadic's corner straight out of the air.
85'
A. Westwood has scored a goal for Aston Villa! Assist by K. Toner.
GOAL! It's a beautiful finish from Westwood, and that goal is likely to make the final five minutes VERY interesting. There are a number of bodies in the box but the midfielder manages to score his second with a low shot from 18-yards. Koeman will be furious with his side for gifting Villa that goal.
Toner will be delighted with his work as the 19-year-old grabs an assist. The Villa fans wanted youth and it's certainly paid off this time!
84'
Villa aren't learning from their mistakes as they continue to give Southampton far too much space. Long is able to nip in ahead of the Villa defence following a Claise free-kick. Fortunately for the hosts, the offside flag is there to prevent the impending danger.
83'
Gana is booked for a follow-through foul on Clasie. Villa are growing frurstrated as they struggle to win the ball back.
82'
I. Gueye gets yellow.
Yellow card Idrissa Gana Gueye
80'
Davis is causing a number of problems for the hosts. The midfielder is given acres of room and is able to play it to Cedirc. He then floats it into Long and the striker should do better. Guzan flapped at it and the striker failed to punish his mistake as he fired over the bar.
Minute
Description
79'
STAT: It was an impresive run down the touchline from Mane. The striker has scored three goals in last four Premier League appearances and will be hoping to add to that tally today. Prior to that run, he had to failed to score in his last 19 appearances.
77'
Villa can breathe a sigh of relief as Hutton is back on his feet and is able to carry on. And he is called straight back into action after an impresisve run by Mane. Gestede is then able to clear the resulting corner.
76'
It's a nervy moment for Villa as things look to go from bad to worse. Hutton is down and looks to have sustained a head injury. Head injuries aren't taken lightly and Eric Black has used all three of his substitutions.
74'
Southampton are surely out of sight now. Villa fans continue to make sure their feelings are heard as they hold banners ready "proud history - what future up" whilst chanting "we want our Villa back".
71'
D. Tadić has scored a goal for Southampton! Assist by S. Long.
Grealish has offered an instant lift to Villa. The youngster is able to lay it off to Cissokho, but Southampton are able to clear the ball with ease. The hosts are really being punished for their lack of end of product.
Long continues to show a great energy and is able to make a run to set up his team-mate. It's been an impressive performance from the striker, with two assists and a goal.
It's a lovely finish from Tadic from 20 yards, as he grabs his brace. The midfielder is given plenty of space and is able to shoot from distance to put Villa out of sight. Replays indicate that the shot may have a took a slight deflection off the ankle of Westwood.
70'
S. Mané enters the game and replaces J. Rodríguez.
Saido Mane comes on to replace Rodriguez. The striker has done well in his first start for seven months and will be bolstered by his display.
68'
J. Grealish enters the game and replaces C. Sánchez.
Sánchez, who has worked hard today, makes way for Jack Grealish as Black makes his third and final change of the game. Sanchez is met with a round of applause from the Villa faithful, and rightly so. The midfielder has performed well today.
65'
It's an impressive run by Villa as Cissokho takes it down the left and manages to pick out Gestede with a cross. But as for usual, there is no end product from Villa and Southampton have a goal-kick.
64'
It's still a hostile atmosphere here at Villa Park as the hosts struggle to find a way back into the game. Southampton are proving just too strong for them to breakdown. Villa also look terribly weak at the back as Long and Rodriguez remain to look threatening when going forward.
61'
Guzan is forced into action again. Rodriguez manages to escape any pressure to shoot from 25-yards but his shot is aimed straight at Guzan. Villa attempt to hit Southampton on the counter but the visitors are able to hold their nerve and clear the danger well.
59'
R. Gestede enters the game and replaces J. Ayew.
Davis forces Guzan into a smart save with the resulting free-kick. The strike looked goalwards, and from a tight angle. Villa have seen little of the ball in the second-half, as Southampton continue to dominate.
It's an eyebrow-raising substitution from Eric Black as he choses to replace Ayew with Rudy Gestede. Ayew has been one of Villa's better performers and the choice is met with boos from disgruntled home fans.
58'
A. Hutton gets yellow.
It's a yellow card for Hutton, and the referee awards the visitors a free-kick.
55'
CHANCE SQUANDERED! It's a great team effort from Southampton as Van Djik gives it to Cedric who tees up Rodriguez. Unfortunately for Southampton, it's also great teamwork from Villa as a combination of Lescott and Guzan manage to keep the ball out.
53'
Southampton look to break quickly but their counter attack is short-lived as Long hits the ball straight at the Villa defence. The hosts only manage to clear as far as Cedric and the Saints continue to pass the ball about without being under any real pressure.
51'
Southampton seek a third as Davis tries to cut in ahead of Sanchez, however, it is well dealt with by the Villa man who is able to put the ball out for a corner. The resulting corner was a poor delivery by Davis and he opts to take the second one short.
49'
The tempo hasn't changed from the first half. Southampton are still able to pass the ball around clamly and with ease. Villa, on the other hand, are sloppy and continue to give the ball away easily.
46'
K. Toner enters the game and replaces M. Richards.
J. Clasie enters the game and replaces V. Wanyama.
Wanyama makes way Jordy Clasie as Koeman opts to make a straight change in midfield, for the second-half.
Villa get us underway for the second-half...
Richards is repalced by the 19-year-old Kevin Toner for the final 45 minutes.
45' +1
A. Westwood has scored a goal for Aston Villa!
Westwood, one of the more consistent performers for Villa this season, scores his first Premier League goal in almost a year. The midfielder manages to find the bottom corner and pulls one back for the hosts. Despite their dismay, the home supporters celebrate the goal. Has this given Villa a glimmer of hope?
43'
Davis floats a corner into the box looking for Long but the goalscorer just can't connect with it and Richards is able to clear. The Holte End is sparsely filled now. The remaining fans make sure their feelings are known as they continue to boo their team.
41'
At the other end, Villa win a corner but fail to create anything with it. The home supporters aren't happy as Southampton's second goal creates a mass exodus. Villa fans have seen enough as the ground begins to empty and I don't think it's a half-time pint they're after, they're off home.
39'
D. Tadić has scored a goal for Southampton! Assist by S. Long.
Long exploits Bacuna's mistake and his pace proves just too much for Lescott to handle as he manags to pick out Tadic with his cutback.
GOAL! It's Southampton who get the next goal and they double their lead. A misplaced pass by Bacuna creates a golden opportunity which the hosts were sure they didn't waste. Tadic makes no mistake as he slots into an empty net.
38'
Impressive stuff from Villa as they seek an equaliser. Ayew mangaes to pick out Westwood from a cross but he shoots from close-range and the ball is straight into the arms of Forster. Whoever gets the next goal is anyone's guess.
36'
Villa are beginning to pose a little bit more of a threat now, and even look somewhat dangerous as they go forward in numbers. The hosts win two corners in quick succession but they're both well dealt with by a competent Southampton defence.
34'
OFFSIDE! Long has the ball in the net for a second time but is flagged offside. The striker netted from close-range following a clever lay-off from Davis but it won't count.
33'
Southampton's persistence is admirable as Long chases down the ball forcing Guzan to put it out for a throw. Koeman's men look everything like a side chasing Europe, whilst Villa look everything like an already relegated side. The Villains have failed to trouble Fraser Forster at all in the past 15 minutes.
31'
It's all one way traffic at Villa Park at the minute. Southampton are able to pass the ball about with ease, and when they aren't in posession there's a great energy about them to win it back. The Saints have lost only three of their past 14 games, and it's easy to see why.
30'
CHANCE! Southampton nearly double their lead as a loose ball drops to van Djik but the centre-back's low shot cannons off the woodwork. It's a good strike from the Dutchman, albeit off target.
27'
Southampton have posed a threat from crosses all season and today is proving no different. Tadic hits a cross but it's just too high for Rodriguez.
25'
Villa fans aren't happy and who can blame them after a difficult 18 months. "We want our Villa back" is echoing round Villa Park as Southampton win a corner. Fonte fails to meet Bertrand's corner and Villa manage to clear.
23'
Southampton have a half-chance to double their lead as Swarbrick plays the advantage. The cross from Tadic catches Long in an awkward position and he heads straight at Guzan. The referee has a quiet word with Hutton.
21'
Hutton floats the ball into the box but it's well defended by Van Djik. However, the ball only falls as far as Westwood who hits a second cross to Bacuna. The striker heads it inches wide. Better stuff from the hosts.
18'
Villa seemed to offer something going forward in the opening 15 minutes but will Long's goal dismantle them? The Villains have scored just three goals in their run of nine defeats, conceding a total of 25.
15'
S. Long has scored a goal for Southampton! Assist by R. Bertrand.
GOAL! Long makes it six in seven, in his record against Villa, as he heads Southampton into the lead. It's an easy goal for the striker as he finds himself unmarked. That's terrible defending from Lescott who was caught sleeping, and Hutton who was looking for the offside.
It's a glorious cross from the left from Bertrand. Everyone knows the threat the Saints can pose from crosses and the Villains are punished for the lack of concentration.
14'
Villa attempt an attack down the right but Hutton struggles to escape Davis and the ball is out for a Southampton throw. Despite a season full of lacklustre performances, Villa seem keen to get something from this match.
11'
Ayew has a half-effort on goal. The forward has the ball in the box and looks to play in Sanchez, however, the forward slips and the ball gots into the side-netting. The Villa fans are still dismayed as they boo their side's every touch.
10'
STAT: Aston Villa have suffered nine consecutive league defeats, the second worst run the club's history since suffering 11 straight defeats in 1963. Can they end that run today?
8'
The free-kick fails to trouble Southampton and is back out to Hutton. The right-back plays the ball back into the box but Ayew struggles to make anything of it and the ball is out for a goal-kick. Both sides have seen an equal share of the ball thus far.
6'
Aston Villa make a good break as Bacuna releases Ayew. However, the attack comes to an end as Westwood is brought to ground by van Djik. It's a rash challenge from the centre-back and the hosts have a free-kick in a dangrous position.
4'
Southampton win a corner and it's punched away by Guzan. The Saints have applied all of the pressure in the opening few minutes and it's looking like it's going to be a long afternoon for Villa. Long has five goals in his last six appearances against Villa, can he add to that tally today?
2'
CLOSE! How on earth did Shane Long miss from there? Southampton completely opened Villa's defence up and the strker hits the underside of the crossbar from 12 yards out. He knows that's a glorious opportunity missed as the visitors should be 1-0 up. Villa fans have started the boos already.
The teams are out. It's likely to be a hostile atmosphere at Villa Park today, as many fans hold sheets reading "proud history - what future" aloft. Can the hosts restore any pride in today's showdown with Southampton?
The sides head in for the break with scoreline at 1-2. It was an encouraging 45 minutes for Southampton who rightly deserve to be in the lead. However, has Villa's goal given them a confidence boost?
For the most part of the opening 45, the hosts were poor. Southampton were allowed far too much space and could pass the ball around with ease. Koeman will be eager his side don't let this lead slip and will want another goal to kill Villa off.
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Aston Villa vs Southampton in the Premier League. The hosts will look to salvage any pride that may remain as they prepare for life in the Championship. Villa are cemented to rock bottom, 13 points shy of 19th-place Newcastle in what has been a season to forget for the Villains. Joleon Lescott riled the Villa Park faithful by describing the confirmation of relegation as a “weight off his the shoulders”. Will Eric Black’s men be able to repay the fans' support with a spirited performance?
The odds are stacked against Villa with an in-form Southampton seeking to lose the gap on the sides above them. Whilst a Europa League spot is looking unlikely, a win would keep their hopes alive. This could be a useful opportunity for the Saints to get their defensive record back on track, Ronald Koeman’s men have failed to keep a clean sheet in their past eight games despite keeping six in a row prior to that. The visitors have lost just once in eight of previous games against Villa.
ASTON VILLA XI: Guzan, Richards (C), Lescott, Cissokho, Hutton, Bacuna, Westwood, Gana, Sanchez, Sinclair, Ayew.
FULL TIME: 2-4. Southampton run out winners at Villa Park and deservedly so. The Saints proved too strong for a deflated Villa side. The hosts struggled to cope with Southampton's energy and failed to deal with their threat from croses and were ultimately punished.
Villa won't be too disheartened, however. Eric Black will pleased with the commitment shown by his men. Ashley Westwood was a stand-out performer for the Villains and has been all season. That is one player who they will be desparate to keep a hold of in the summer.
A draw for Liverpool means Southampton remain one point behind the Reds in 8th-place. It was an encouraging performance from Ronald Koeman's men and their European hopes remain firmly alive.
Gabriel Agbonlahor misses out for Villa after been suspended by the club, as does Jores Okore who will not feature again this campaign following a disagreement with Eric Black. Kieran Richardson and Ciaran Clark are out with calf and ankle problems respectively. It's three changes for the already relegated hosts as Gana, Sanchez and Richards replace Gueye, Richardson and Hutton from their 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford.
Victor Wanyama and Jose Fonte are both fit despite sustaining head and rib injuries in Southampton’s draw with Everton. Koeman has made four changes as Rodriguez, Cedric, Oriol Romeu and Steven Davis return to the side. Martina, Mane, Clasie and Pelle drop to the bench. It’s a first start in seven months for Jay Rodriguez as he replaces Pelle up front.
SOUTHAMPTON XI: Forster, Cédric, Van Dijk, Fonte (C), Bertrand, Wanyama, Romeu, S. Davis, Tadić, Rodriguez, Long.
Though, prior to Southampton's second, Villa began to show a little bit of attacking prowess going forward. Westwood pulled one back for the hosts and they will want to capitalise on his goal. A lot of the home support exited Villa Park following Tadic's goal but the ones who remained were clearly buoyed by Westwood's strike.
The stakes of the outcome of this game are very different. Southampton are seeking European football whilst Villa are looking to restore what little pride they have left. Can Southampton secure all three points or will Villa find a way back? Join us for the second-half!
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