Southampton remain at the foot of the Premier League table after a late goal saw them fall to a narrow defeat at home to Aston Villa.
Ollie Watkins’ fourth goal of the season proved the difference at St. Marys – taking advantage of poor marking to head home Douglas Luiz’s free-kick 13 minutes from time.
The goal came after Saints felt aggrieved that James Ward-Prowse saw a goal harshly ruled out for a foul in the build up, meaning that Saints miss the chance to move out of the bottom three.
Saints made one change from the win at Everton seven days earlier, with Adam Armstrong replacing Mo Elyounoussi. Villa, meanwhile, were forced into a change themselves as new signing Alex Moreno came in for his debut in place of the injured Lucas Digne.
Villa on top early on
Nathan Jones’ side came into the game on a run of three wins in a row, but it was the visitors who took control early on.
But for their control, Unai Emery’s men failed to create anything of substance in front of goal. Luiz laid the ball off for debutant Moreno to try his luck, but he skewed well wide before Saints threatened for the first time.
The home crowd needed something to cheer about, and they almost got it before the half hour mark when Lyanco whipped in a low ball from the right and although Che Adams managed to bundle it past Emiliano Martinez, he was flagged for offside.
That should have egged the home side on, but Villa came back and almost broke the deadlock themselves. Leon Bailey led a swift breakaway and he found Jacob Ramsey, but his first time effort was beaten away by Gavin Bazunu. The rebound fell back to Bailey, but he lacked composure and fired well off target.
Drone stoppage
There was then an unscheduled interval before half-time, as in a strange moment a drone was spotted hovering above the stadium. Referee Michael Salisbury paused play and sent the players back to the dressing room. After a ten minute break, the first half resumed but without any incident before half-time.
Villa had one shot on target during the whole first half, but had one within a minute of the restart. Bazunu mis-hit a clearance and the ball fell straight to Ramsey, who played through to Bailey but his low shot was straight at the relieved Saints stopper.
Jones made a triple change in a bid to swing momentum back his teams way. Sekou Mara, Elyounoussi and Romain Perraud all came on and within seconds Saints created their best chance of the game.
Good build up play down the right saw Ward-Prowse cut the ball across to Armstrong, but his low drive destined for the bottom corner was turned away by the outstretched leg of Martinez.
VAR denies Saints
Then midway through the second period, Saints thought they had the lead they so desperately needed. Kyle Walker-Peters’ ball eventually fell to Armstrong, who teed up Ward-Prowse on the edge of the box. His drive deflected off Ezri Konsa and looped over Martinez.
The joy was soon brought to an end, though. Salisbury was sent to the VAR monitor to look at a potential foul from Elyounoussi on Ramsey, and after inspection ruled the goal out – much to the home crowd’s displeasure.
Breakthrough
And the tables were turned with 13 minutes to go. Luiz whipped in a free kick from the right hand side 30-yards out and picked out Watkins, who planted his downward header beyond the reach of Bazunu.
Saints’ attempts at finding an equaliser would come from their substitutes, with Mara heading just off target before Moussa Djenepo went even closer in stoppage time.
Cutting inside from the left, the winger let fly from the edge of the box and with the ball looking set for the top corner, a full stretch Martinez tipped it wide of the far post to preserve Villa’s lead and deny Saints a share of the points.
