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Southampton took on Aston Villa and it was an entertaining match with so many actions all through.
Southampton started brightly and dominated Villa from every department. They looked likely to score first but they didn't. There was a contentious moment for a penalty in the 9th minute but the referee didn't bulge. VAR was consulted also but strangely didn't go with a penalty too when it has clearly struck the arm of Cash. Penalties had been called with efforts not as huge as this but with VAR and changing football rules, you just never know.
Ings did an amazing job in having a deft touch with a sweet turn to beat his marker. He got into the edge of the box and passed to Armstrong who struck a shot that hit the arm of Cash.
That didn't stop Southampton as Bertrand has a brilliant run but with his effort, he missed. Southampton had a series of shots and efforts but nothing really came out of it.
Villa eased into the game and in the 14th minute, Grealish tried to find Watkins but it was a little too much for him to connect to. Grealish has lost 6 times against Southampton and he would be hoping to avoid a repeat on the night.
In the 20th minute, Cash came to the rescue again and snuffed out another goal threat when a cross came in. Southampton looked more threatening in every department and with every attack.
In the 31st minute, Armstrong found Bertrand but he tried to get a sneaky effort through but it was wide. No threat whatsoever to the goalkeeper. At this stage, if the game, Southampton bossed it with 57% compared to Villa's 43%.
In the 36th minute, Armstrong released a ball for the on-rushing Romeu only to fire wide and not handsome when he was just outside the box.
Villa had their first shot on target in the 38th minute when Watkins had a shot but the goalkeeper quickly got down and saved it with a big left hand. That was the sign for what is to come when Grealish received a perfect long ball and he hit a super one-time half-volley cross into the box which the on-rushing Barkley pounced on in free space and headed home brilliantly. 1-0. That was a sweet move and a great goal by Barkley who had previously scored on the Saints' home turf with Chelsea and also with Everton. Southampton would be angry with themselves for the missed chances.
Watkins almost doubled the lead before the half time whistle went but he couldn't find the back of the net. Villa went into the break ahead with a solitary goal.
Southampton started the second half as they have played the first half with attacking intent and Diallo found Redmond whose effort was blocked in the box. A few seconds after, the goalscorer fouled and it was freekick to Southampton in Ward Prowse territory only for him to take it and it was straight at the wall.
Southampton has been struggling because Diallo was injured and had to be taken out. Not long after, Adams came in for the injured Theo Walcott who pulled his left hamstring too. Two changes in quick succession for the Saints.
Villa had their first corner in the 66th minute when Grealish's trickery for him into the box but his ball across the face of the goal was blocked for a corner. Villa is hoping to extend their lead before the Saints would finally take advantage of their missed chances.
Ings played in Adams in the 70th minute but Martinez brilliantly denied him. That should have been an equaliser but for the brilliant save from Martinez.
Diablo found Redmond in the 75th minute, who laid a pass for Armstrong but his curling effort of placement went just wide.
Villa is hoping to win this encounter and also get their 6th clean sheet of the season - something they didn't achieve all through last season. What a remarkable season they are having this season.
Southampton knocking on the door and Redmond wasted a brilliant chance in the 85th minute. The corner was taken but with goalmouth scrambles, Southampton still couldn't get the final touch into the net as Villa defended with their lives with several blocks. What a tense finale. Martinez was brilliant to deny that first effort from the corner.
Villa was hoping to make it safe when a short corner found Barkley but he fired his shot wide. Southampton really pushing for a late equalizer and Villa has not made it safe yet. They have it all to do with 6 minutes of added time.
It was not just Southampton's night when the tiniest of margin denied Ings an equalizer in the 94th minute. That was very harsh but the VAR claimed it was offside. Ings felt aggrieved with that decision.
The game ended 1-0 in favour of Villa and what a cool 3 points. They fought hard for this and they should be happy.
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