Follow live coverage as Aston Villa face Southampton today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Aston Villa vs Southampton LIVE: Premier League updates
- Aston Villa XI: Martínez, Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Maatsen, Bailey, Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn, Rogers, Durán
- Southampton XI: Lumley, Walker-Peters, Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Manning, Dibling, Downes, Fernandes, Armstrong, Archer
Aston Villa FC 1 - 0 Southampton FC
Aston Villa vs Southampton
17:04Aston Villa claimed all three points in a rather lacklustre affair at Villa Park. Ryan Manning came close to breaking the deadlock for the visitors but saw his effort blocked. Cameron Archer then had the next best chance but could not convert it. Southampton continued to be the catalyst of their downfall after a mistake at the back allowed Jhon Duran through on goal to slot past Lumley in the 24th minute. Neither side found much success following Duran’s opener and both managers will be disappointed in their teams’ lethargic performances. Villa produced 2.44 xG to Southampton’s 0.44 but both sides struggled to create clear-cut chances. Ollie Watkins had a spell of chances towards the end of the game but seemed to struggle with his decision-making at times. That victory sees Villa move up to 5th in the Premier League. Emery’s side make the trip to Germany midweek for their UEFA Champions League tie with RB Leipzig. Southampton extend their winless run to five games now leaving Russell Martin’s side still bottom of the table. Things don’t get much easier for the Saints who welcome Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspurs to St. Mary next weekend.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:57FULL-TIME: ASTON VILLA 1-0 SOUTHAMPTON
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:57Rogers is booked and Southampton have one final chance to claim something from this game.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:57McGinn tries to seal it late in the game but Lumley makes a superb save!
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:57Rogers and Wood are both down and receiving treatment after a fair but hard collision.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:54Villa are happy to keep possession in these late stages as they look to run down the clock.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:52Manning is replaced by Kamaldeen Sulemana.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:52Watkins once again finds himself in a 2-on-1 with Barkley but he chooses not to pass and sees his shot blocked by Wood.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:51Watkins goes through on goal again but his first touch is a poor one and Lumley comes out to claim the ball.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:50Five minutes of added time to be played here at Villa Park.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:48Southampton tries to counter quickly but Downes plays the ball straight out of play.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:47How have Villa not scored?! Watkins breaks through the back-line to latch onto Digne's through ball. He squares it to Barkley who looks to tap it home but his effort ricochets off Wood and goes out for a corner.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:44Yellow Card Samuel Christian Osaze Amo-Ameyaw
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:43Watkins latches onto the cross but is unable to direct his effort on target.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:42McGinn comes close to adding a second to Villa's tally but Lumley makes the save before spilling the ball and gifting the hosts a corner.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:42McGinn plays a ball over the defence for Watkins to latch onto but the England international is unable to sort out his feet in time.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:41Groans of frustration ring around Villa Park as their side is beginning to lose control of the game.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:39Downes is replaced by Ben Brereton Díaz as Southampton goes in search of an equaliser.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:39Wood receives a yellow card for his rash challenge on McGinn.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:37The game is beginning to get very scrappy with around 15 minutes left to play.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:36Watkins tries to break down the line for Villa but he is fouled by Downes.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:33Armstrong is just inches away from latching onto Walker-Peters' cross and bringing Southampton level!
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:32Southampton make their second change as Archer is replaced by Samuel Amo-Ameyaw.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:30Rogers comes close to doubling Villa's advantage! The forward picks the ball up by the halfway line and drives towards the Southampton box. He fires ana effort towards goal that is deflected just wide of the post.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:28Flynn Downes receives a yellow card after his foul on Kamara.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:27Villa dealt with the pressure and earned themselves a free-kick just inside their own half.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:26Southampton look to counter quickly.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:25Lumley comes out to claim the corner but spills it and awards Aston Villa another one.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:25Corner for Aston Villa. Philogene-Bidace makes his way to the byline and delivers the ball into the box but Wood is there to intercept.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:23Southampton try to counter quickly but are forced back to Lumley.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:22Villa earn themselves another corner but nothing comes from it.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:22Torres is unable to get his effort on target from the corner, Southampton goal kick.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:21Corner for Aston Villa. Watkins makes an instant impact after latching onto to Rogers' pass and firing an effort towards the goal forcing Lumley into a save.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:18Lucas Digne replaces Ian Maatsen.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:18Substitution Leon Patrick Bailey Butler Jaden Richard Philogene-Bidace
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:18Goalscorer Jhon Duran makes way for Olly Watkins.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:18Substitution Youri Marion A. Tielemans Ross Barkley
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:18Bailey is forced to withdraw as Aston Villa prepare to make three changes.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:15Aston Villa try to counter quickly but Bailey pulls up with what appears to be a hamstring injury.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:14Corner for Southampton. Walker-Peters delivers a dangerous ball into the box and with two Southampton players closing in on him Konza is forced to header it over his own bar.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:13Maatsen with an important block by the back post to deny Aribo a clear chance on goal!
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:12Bailey delivers a cross into the box but Lumley is quick off his line to collect it. An important save from the goalkeeper who denied Rogers a free chance at goal.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:08Southampton have started the half stronger as they try to utilise the extra body in midfield.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:04Southampton get the action back underway here at Villa Park.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
16:04Substitution James Patrick Bree Joseph Oluwaseyi Temitope Ayodele-Aribo
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:53Southampton will have to be much braver in the second half should they wish to rescue something from this game. Russell Martin's side have been given just a 3.8% win probability following their first-half display.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:51Aston Villa deservedly ahead after the first-half courtesy of a defensive error from Southampton that allowed Duran through on goal to slot past Lumley. The visitors have had spells of success and come close on two separate occasions but have been unable to convert those chances. Neither side is playing their best football with many misplaced passes in this first 45 and plenty of opportunities wasted.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:49HALF-TIME: ASTON VILLA 1-0 SOUTHAMPTON.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:48Just the one minute of added time here at Villa Park.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:46The hosts remain in control of this tie as we edge closer to half-time. Emery's side have amassed 1.04xG in this opening half in comparison to Southampton's 0.29.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:42Southampton are beginning to press forward now as they look for an equaliser before half-time.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:40A mistake by Martinez gives Southampton the ball on the edge of the penalty box but they are unable to capitalise.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:38Bailey delivers a superb ball into the box from the resulting corner but no one can connect with it.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:37Duran goes close once more! Some lovely build-up play by Villa who find Maatsen in acres of space running into the box, he cuts the ball back to Duran whose effort is deflected out for a corner.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:37Southampton continue to try and press the hosts but Emery's side can cut through them with relative ease and build up the pitch.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:35Villa come close again! Duran drops deep to receive the ball before finding Rogers out wide, the winger darts past his man before delivering a beautifully placed ball into the box but no one is there to tap it in.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:32Downes tries to play Archer through on goal but his pass is too heavy.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:30Villa are beginning to play with much more freedom following Duran's opener and have the visitors pinned deep inside their half.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:27The hosts try to add a second shortly after but Wood makes a vital interception.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:25Goal Jhon Jader Durán Palacio
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:25So close for Aston Villa! Southampton play themselves into trouble and both McGinn and Duran get shots off towards goal but neither play can convert!
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:24Southampton try to break though once more but Armstrong is flagged for offside.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:22Southampton are growing in confidence now, the visitors are seeing much more of the ball and have Unai Emery's side pinned inside of their own half.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:20Villa have had far more possession in these opening stages but it is the visitors who have come closest to opening the deadlock.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:19Southampton come close once again! Archer fires an effort towards goal from just inside the box following a misplaced pass but his shot is blocked.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:18Duran goes through one on one with Lumley but the keeper makes a vital block to deny the forward.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:16The hosts have the far greater share of possession in these opening stages and continue to try to unlock a leaky Southampton defence.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:15Corner for Aston Villa. Rogers picks the ball up on the edge of the box following a misplaced pass and fires towards goal but his effort is blocked.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:15Maatsen delivers the ball into the box following a quick throw-in but no one can reach it.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:13Aston Villa players appeal for a penalty following Manning's late challenge on Bailey but the referee waives it away.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:11Chance for Southampton! Walker-Peters sets the ball to Manning, who sees his low-drilled effort deflected and goes just wide of the post! The best chance of the game!
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:11Southampton are beginning to see more of the ball but continue to struggle to retain possession in these opening minutes.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:09Free Kick to Aston Villa after a foul on Kamara.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:08Southampton will have to weather the storm in these opening stages as Unai Emery's side is seeing much more of the ball.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:06Flynn Downes plays the ball out of play giving Aston Villa another corner.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:04Diego Carlos reacts first but he is unable to get his effort on target.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:03Corner for Aston Villa. The hosts play through the thirds quickly before Maatsen's cross is deflected out of play.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
15:02We are underway here at Villa Park! Slight changes to both formations, with Aston Villa lining up as 4-2-3-1 and Southampton opting for a 3-4-3.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
14:59The teams are now making their way onto the pitch with this Premier League clash just moments away.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
14:48Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, who starts on the bench today, has been involved in 10 goals in his last five Premier League appearances against promoted clubs, scoring four and assisting six.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
14:43Southampton will be without nine players for today’s trip to Villa Park. Aaron Ramsdale, Adam Lallana, Gavin Bazunu, Jan Bednarek, Lesley Ugochukwu, Paul Onuachu, Ross Stewart, Will Smallbone and Jack Stephens remain unavailable.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
14:38The hosts enter the match all near full-strength, Jacob Ramsey is the only absentee through injury.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
14:33SUBS: Alex McCarthy, Joe Aribo, Ronnie Edwards, Yukinari Sugawara, Ben Brereton Diaz, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Charlie Taylor, Ryan Fraser, Samuel Amo-Ameyaw.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
14:33SOUTHAMPTON (5-3-2): Joe Lumley; Kyle Walker-Peters, James Bree, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Nathan Wood, Ryan Manning; Tyler Dibling, Flynn Downes, Mateus Fernandes; Adam Armstrong, Cameron Archer.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
14:30SUBS: Matty Cash, Tyrone Mings, Ross Barkley, Emiliano Buendia, Ollie Watkins, Lucas Digne, Jaden Philogene, Amadou Onana, Robin Olsen.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
14:30ASTON VILLA (4-4-1-1): Emiliano Martinez; Ian Maatsen, Pau Torres, Diego Carlos, Ezri Konsa; John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, Boubacar Kamara, Leon Bailey; Morgan Rogers; Jhon Duran.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
14:30Struggling Southampton are winless in four consecutive Premier League games going into their match against Aston Villa on Saturday. Aston Villa are in seventh place with 22 points through 14 matches. The hosts won their last Premier League match 3-1 at home against Brentford, snapping a five-match winless streak. Southampton's last Premier League match saw them beaten 5-1 by Chelsea at St. Mary's Stadium, extending their winless streak to four, leaving them in 20th place on five points. Aston Villa won the last Premier League meeting between the sides, triumphing 1-0 at St. Mary's Stadium in January 2023. Ollie Watkins scored Villa's only goal in the 77th minute.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
14:30Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Premier League clash between Aston Villa and Southampton. Team news will follow shortly.
Aston Villa vs Southampton team news
13:50 , Jack RathbornAston Villa XI: Martínez, Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Maatsen, Bailey, Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn, Rogers, Durán
Southampton XI: Lumley, Walker-Peters, Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Manning, Dibling, Downes, Fernandes, Armstrong, Archer
Aston Villa vs Southampton
13:00Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
