Aston Villa seek second-straight win in Southampton clash

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 26: Matty Cash celebrates with Jacob Ramsey, John McGinn and Danny Ings of Aston Villa after scoring their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa at American Express Community Stadium on February 26, 2022 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 26: Matty Cash celebrates with Jacob Ramsey, John McGinn and Danny Ings of Aston Villa after scoring their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa at American Express Community Stadium on February 26, 2022 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)

Fresh off a 2-0 win at Brighton last weekend, Aston Villa hope to win their second-straight Premier League contest for the first time since November 27 when they host Southampton at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Saints are one of the in-form teams in the top flight at the moment, having not lost in their previous five league matches.

They’re fresh off a 2-0 win at Norwich last Friday and are currently ninth in the Premier League with 35 points.

Villa are 13th with 30 points from 25 matches and could move into 10th with a win this weekend.

Southampton edged Villa, 1-0, on November 5, 2021. Adam Armstrong’s third-minute tally proved the difference on that afternoon.

James Ward-Prowse famously scored two goals from two set pieces in this fixture last season. Southampton were 4-3 winners on that day, November 1, 2020.

Villa’s only league win over Southampton since 2013  came last season, when Ross Barkley scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory on January 30, 2021.

Aston Villa vs. Southampton team news

Villa manager Steven Gerrard said in a press conference on Friday that Carney Chukwuemeka was set to miss a second-straight match with a knock.

Bertrand Traore returned to regular training this week and his status for Saturday’s game is yet to be determined.

Gerrard also said Marvelous Nakamaba is “three to four weeks away from a return.”

For Southampton, Lyanco, Alex McCarthy, and Nathan Tella are set to miss out this weekend. Mohammed Salisu is also a doubt for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.

Aston Villa projected Starting XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; McGinn, Douglas Luiz J. Ramsey; Couthinho; Watkins, Ings

Southampton projected Starting XI: Forster; Livramento, Bednarek, Salisu, Walker-Peters; S. Armstrong, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Elyounoussi; Broja, Adams

Date/time: Saturday, March 5 at 3:00 PM BST/10:00 AM EST

Ground: Villa Park

Referee: Peter Bankes

 TV/Streaming UK: N/A

TV/Streaming US: Peacock

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