Premier League: Adam Armstrong helps Southampton edge past Aston Villa

The heat on Aston Villa boss Dean smith has intensified as it was their fifth straight Premier League defeat.

Adam Armstong's goal helped Southampton to a 1-0 win over Aston Villa in the Premier League fixture on Friday; Credit: Twitter/@SouthamptonFC
By Sreejith C R | Nov 6, 2021 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Southampton defeated Aston Villa 1-0 in the Premier League fixture at St. Mary’s stadium on Friday. Adam Armstrong scored the winner within just three minutes into kick-off to hand a fifth straight defeat to Aston Villa. The heat on head coach Dean Smith is intensified ahead of the international break. Meanwhile it was Southampton’s third victory in four games in all competitions. Villa, who registered 14 attempts failed to seriously test the home goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.

Southampton broke the deadlock through their first real attempt of the match. James Ward-Prowse’s long ball towards Che Adams wasn’t cleared properly by the Aston Villa defence. The ball fell to Armstrong on the edge of the box. The 24-year-old striker latched on to the loose ball and smashed it past Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and into the top corner with a powerful left-footed strike.

Armstrong had joined Southampton for GBP 15 million from Blackburn as a replacement for Danny Ings who left for Aston Villa for GBP 30 million. But the 29-year-old was missing the fixture due to injury. 

The home side should have doubled the lead moments later as a corner kick from the left flank fell to an unmarked Stuart Armstrong at the far post. But the Scottish midfielder ballooned his attempt from close range.

Saints impose themselves

Southampton were clearly the better side in the first half and Martinez was having a busy night. Skipper James Ward-Prowse’ shot from outside the box forced a full stretch diving save from the Argentina custodian.

Tino Livramento used his pace to go past Villa right-back Matty Cash with ease before delivering a cut back to Admas who laid the ball to Oriol Romeu on the edge of the box. But the Spanish midfielder’s attempt went just over the bar.

El Ghazi was probably the most threatening player for Villa on the night. The Dutchman’s shot from outside the box was palmed over the bar by McCarthy. Meanwhile the Saints created the better chances as Martinez had to be alert to tip over Adams’ header from Ward-Prowse’ free-kick.

Despite getting seven minutes of added time, the visitors failed to test McCarthy and Southampton successfully defended the slender lead to take all three Premier League points.

The win helped Southampton to 12th spot in the points table with 14 points from 11 games. Meanwhile Villa are placed 15th with 10 points from 11 games.

‘Important three points’ in Premier league for Saints

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl said after the match: “A team that comes out after half-time, puts you under pressure is always hard to play against. [There were] a lot of long and high balls so we changed to a back five. We still had good moments but only one good chance in the second half with Che Adams’ header. No matter, we have a fifth clean sheet this season which is amazing and an important three points.

“It was Adam Armstrong’s second goal and we managed to win – good for him, good for us and a striker starts scoring. He has a very good finish, left foot, right foot.

“We have lost a little bit of control, we were a bit hectic and the opponents were a bit more aggressive. We did not take the biggest risks today, tried to kick the ball longer but in some moments you have to take the right tools to win the game.”

Dean Smith said: “It was a tale of two halves. Southampton controlled the midfield in the first and we improved in the second. When you go through a run of results like we’re on, you get kicked in the teeth a few times. They scored a hell of a goal.”





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