Southampton FC vs Aston Villa FC, Premier League 2022-2023, Today Match Prediction

Southampton FC vs Aston Villa FC Match Prediction & Analysis

Southampton and Aston Villa are two clubs growing in confidence, despite both behind several league places below where they’d ideally like to be right now.

The Saints are further behind in their development than their opponents, with Nathan Jones’ side still rooted to the foot of the table.

They’ve won their last three games in all competitions, however, with victories coming in the league, the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup in recent weeks. They can now begin to be more optimistic for the future.

Aston Villa are somewhat closer to achieving their goals, although still have a way to go to challenge the elite of the Premier League.

Villa have lost three games under Unai Emery, but only one of those has come in the league and they are finally looking to break into the top half after years of lower-league mediocrity.

Emery has got them travelling in the right direction and positive results are starting to flow.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Southampton FC Preview

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Won three in a row in all competitions

     Ward-Prowse is in electric form right now

Reasons to be fearful:

     Lost their last three home league games

     Suffered defeat in last two matches against Villa

It’s taken long than other teams that change their manager, but Southampton finally appear to be benefitting from a new-manager bounce.

There is plenty of work still to do at Southampton, with the club locked at the bottom of the table. Fortunately, with as many as seven teams within two points of each other, the Saints aren’t far from safety.

A win here, albeit it against an in-form Aston Villa, would almost certainly shoot them up the table and out of the relegation zone. The Saints have lost their last two against Villa, however.

With a Carabao Cup Semi-Final against Newcastle to look forward to next week, confidence should be high around St. Mary’s.

Star Man – James Ward-Prowse

The stylish midfielder has four goals from as many games, with his set pieces as accurate and dangerous as ever. Southampton’s best player is stepping up to the plate when they need him most.

Aston Villa FC Preview

Reasons to be cheerful

     Looking to win three consecutive away games

     Cash and Dendoncker are back from injury and suspension

Reasons to be fearful

     Have lost their previous two games against clubs bottom of the league

     Departure of Danny Ings could leave them light upfront

Despite Aston Villa losing both of their cup games under Unai Emery, the club has made obvious progress in the Premier League lately.

The defeat against Liverpool was their only setback in a run which has included wins over Manchester United, Brighton and Tottenham – three clubs currently above them in the league.

This week, Danny Ings agreed a transfer to West Ham. While Ings had fallen out of favour at Villa, his departure may leave the team a little light upfront. 

Ollie Watkins picked up a knock in their win over Leeds but should be fit to play here, while Alex Moreno should pick up his first start.

Star Man – Emi Buendia

Buendia has scored two goals in his last three games and has been given a new lease of life under Emery’s management.