On Sunday afternoon, Southampton recorded a 4-3 win at Aston Villa, who had made a flying start to their Premier League campaign. Fast improving captain James Ward-Prowse was at the heart of the win scoring a brace and producing an assist.
The win in the Midlands took the Saints unbeaten run in the English top-flight to five-games, four of which they won. It was also the second straight game in which they defeated a team who had made a fine start to the campaign after last weekend’s 2-0 home win over Everton.
Not only are Southampton winning, but they are also producing good attacking football. The team from the south coast have now scored at least twice in their last four league matches in the English top-flight.
The club's hierarchy and fans are now reaping the rewards of patience in Austrian head coach Ralph Hasenhuttl, who was a highly-rated coach before his move to the Premier League.
He played a vital role in putting RB Leipzig where they are now, playing his own brand of football that was admired by many.
The players now seem to be fully buying into the Austrian’s football ideas and the team are looking in fine shape. The aforementioned Ward-Prowse now finally looks to be fulfilling his potential as more than just an excellent set-piece specialist. The midfielder has now scored three times in his last two Saints appearances.
Then, of course, we have the industry and goals of star striker Danny Ings, who netted his fifth goal of the season in the win at Villa Park.
The only potential cloud over the win is that the 28-year-old has picked up a knee injury. With his history of bad injuries that is terrible news for Southampton.
However, if the injury is not a serious one, then the former Liverpool forward could well help his team to an unlikely European charge this season in this highly unpredictable campaign.