The English Premier League returns with a limited schedule this weekend. On Friday night, Aston Villa welcome Southampton to Villa Park.
With six games in the books, Southampton sit twelfth – three points clear of seventeenth-place Aston Villa.
Focused on Friday. pic.twitter.com/ZhhGik7Mt9— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) September 13, 2022
Focused on Friday. pic.twitter.com/ZhhGik7Mt9
With only three points separating Villa and last-place Leicester City, pressure is beginning to mount on Steven Gerrard and his team.
The Villains have only managed to win one of their six Premier League games this season, registering one draw and four losses in the process.
Granted, they held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw last time out. But they still head into Friday’s clash on a four-game winless run in the league.
When you look at the bigger picture, Aston Villa have won just two of their previous 11 encounters across all competitions.
If they carry on the way they’re going, Gerrard could find himself looking for a new job in the not-too-distant future.
On the flip side, Southampton have won two of their six league outings this term – recording one draw and three defeats along the way.
Despite kicking off their campaign with a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur, the Saints have claimed 2-1 victories over Leicester City and Chelsea.
It is worth noting that only five sides have a poorer defensive record than Southampton (-3). That said, one of those sides are Villa.
Due to a disappointing end to the previous campaign, the Saints have only managed to win three of their last 18 Premier League matches.
Head-to-head: Aston Villa have won just two of their past 12 meetings with Southampton in all competitions.
Southampton have won five of their previous seven Premier League encounters with Villa, scoring over 1.5 goals on four occasions.
Team news: Aston Villa will be without injured right-back Matty Cash on Friday. Centre-back Diego Carlos remains a long-term absentee.
As for Southampton, they will be without Romeo Lavia and Tino Livramento. Duje Caleta-Car is also a doubt.
Given that Villa have only managed to win one of their six Premier League games this term, another defeat is on the cards here.
Forebet predicts that Southampton will claim all three points on Friday, scoring over 1.5 goals while keeping a clean sheet.