Philippe Coutinho produced a magical attacking display, as he lead Aston Villa to their second win on the bounce over Southampton.

Ollie Watkins scored the opener after some good combination play between him and strike partner Danny Ings.

Douglas Luiz tapped in from close range as Coutinho laid the chance on a plate for him, and went on to bag one himself just after the break following some dazzling footwork.

Ings then grabbed the fourth only minutes later, picking up a goal against his former club.

  • Story of the match

Steven Gerrard made two changes to his Villa eleven from their 2-0 win over Brighton.

Both Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa missed out due to COVID-19, they were replaced by Ashley Young and Calum Chambers.

Ralph Hassenhutl opted for a slightly different approach from their 2-1 FA Cup victory against West Ham United.

Fraser ForsterValentino LivramentoArmando BrojaStuart Armstrong, Che Adams and Oriol Romeu all came into the lineup for this one.

Villa started the game in a very narrow fashion as Southampton aimed to exploit them in wide areas.

However, it was the home side who scored first as Coutinho arced a ball into the feet of Ings.

The former Saints man slid Watkins in who swivelled around Jack Stephens and fired the ball past Forster for the opener.

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Jacob Ramsey almost picked the lock in the away side's defence after catching them on the break.

He played through Ings who slipped as he tried to turn into space, but Southampton were incredibly fortunate to get away with that turnover.

Gerrard's side looked very organised out of possession, as they aimed to push the opposition as far back as possible.

Watkins had the opportunity for a second after 30 minutes, he was slid in by Coutinho.

However, the 26-year-old's finish was weak and saved comfortably by the feet of Forster.

Adams and Mohamed Elyounoussi then found themselves free at the back post following Livramento's cross but got in each other's way as the former headed over.

The chance was greeted with boos from the Holte End for the former Birmingham City man.

Romain Perraud was feeling confident after his midweek goal against the Hammers, he drilled a long-range effort just wide of the post.

Villa doubled their advantage not long before halftime, as Chambers lofted a ball into the area from the edge of the box.

He found Coutinho who beat the offside trap, the Brazillian then laid the ball down into Luiz's path, who struck home neatly.

Hassenhutl opted for a half-time change as Yann Valery replaced Elyounoussi at the break.

Villa continued to pile on the pressure in search of a third after the break and found it shortly after through Coutinho.

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John McGinn went tumbling in the area but managed to smuggle the ball into the Brazillian, who twisted and turned to create space before deflecting the ball in-off James Ward-Prowse.

Seconds later, Matty Cash found himself in acres of space to cross, he cut the ball back to Ings, who stroked past the 'keeper for their fourth of the afternoon.

The Saints looked to be gaining some momentum as they saw a series of successive corners go their way, including an effort that saw Young forced to head over his own bar from close range.

Gerrard's side closed the game out with relative ease, as they continued to create chances and limit Southampton's possession on the ball.

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