Southampton vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Follow all the reaction from St. Mary's Stadium
Southampton suffered a blow in their bid to avoid Premier League relegation as they went down 1-0 at home to Aston Villa in a match disrupted by a rogue drone on Saturday.
Ollie Watkins struck Villa’s winner in the 77th minute off a free kick by Douglas Luiz shortly after Saints had been controversially denied the opening goal by VAR.
The home crowd had erupted when Southampton skipper James Ward-Prowse’s deflected effort found the net in the 63rd minute but their joy was cut short with substitute Mohamed Elyounoussi deemed to have fouled Jacob Ramsey in the box.
Moussa Djenepo came close to a late equaliser but Villa held on for a third successive away league win as their resurgence under new manager Unai Emery continued.
Southampton, who could have escaped the drop zone with a victory, remain bottom with 15 points from 20 games. Villa stay 11th on 28 points.
Southampton vs Aston Villa
Adams and Young almost end up in row 1 of the stands after colliding on the far touchline. Both are fine though, and play continues when Young picks himself up and gingerly returns to the pitch.
Southampton vs Aston Villa
Southampton have had just 69 shots on target in 19 Premier League games this season, with their average of 3.6 per game their lowest on record in a single campaign in the competition (since 1997-98).
Southampton vs Aston Villa
Edozie beats Buendia all ends up once again before linking up with Armstrong. He tees Ward-Prowse up to cross, but the Saints captain's ball in finds no-one in red and white.
Southampton vs Aston Villa
Edozie beats Buendia before showing great skill and power to turn inside Moreno, but Buendia comes back and fouls the teenager, right on the edge of Villa's box.
Southampton vs Aston Villa
Southampton have failed to score a first-half goal in 15 of their 20 games, more often than any other team in this season's Premier League.
Southampton vs Aston Villa
SAVED!!! Almost a calamitous start for Southampton! Watkins pressures Caleta-Car to pass back to Bazunu, whose woeful clearance is cut out by Ramsey on the edge of the box. He plays in Bailey, who shoots low, but the Saints goalkeeper recovers to get down and hold his effort!
Southampton vs Aston Villa
Ward-Prowse kicks off for Saints, and we're back underway at St. Mary's!
Southampton vs Aston Villa
The players return for the second half, and who will be the side that finds the all-important first goal in this game?
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