Aston Villa 1-0 Southampton: Villans claim win in lackluster game to ease pressure on Gerrard

Jacob Ramsey scored the only goal as Aston Villa got the better of Southampton in a lackluster game on Friday night at Villa Park.

The midfielder's first goal of the 2022/23 campaign lifted Aston Villa into 13th place in the table. They are now level on points with Southampton and this win takes the pressure off Steven Gerrard.

They were able to build on the draw they won against Manchester City earlier this month. It was a professional, if not smooth display, so Gerrard will surely know there is still a lot of work to do on his end.

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It was an unforgettable game between two sides still searching for a cohesive identity and the Saints slipped to a third loss in four games to leave legitimate questions over the future of their longtime boss Ralph Hasenhuttl.

Fourth at kick-off, Villa had won just one of their last 10 league games and, in truth, did little to suggest they would improve on that record during the match. most of the first half.

It took 34 minutes for Philippe Coutinho, who had scored just once and hadn't provided an assist since March, to create a rare chance when he pulled away from James Ward- Prowse and pierced.

The lack of action underscored the messy nature of a game where two teams worked at a pedestrian pace.

Southampton had looked more accomplished in possession in the early stages, but once John McGinn and Coutinho showed some urgency the hosts squirmed in front at the break.

Four minutes before the break, Coutinho's header from the far post was shoveled behind and from the resulting corner Villa snatched the header.

It was played short to Coutinho to find Ollie Watkins, whose head was turned on the bar by Gavin Bazunu. Southampton failed to clear the ball on a loop and Ramsey slammed in from five yards out.

Energized, Villa pushed for a second with Leon Bailey's shot deflected wide and Douglas Luiz's corner returned by Bazunu.

The dramatic half-time finale did not match the lackluster opening 40 minutes, and Villa had to bear in mind that all of Southampton's previous points had come from losing positions.

But the Saints never threatened, leaving Emi Martinez alone and allowing Villa to comfortably hold their lead.

The hosts didn't seem to want to add much, although Ramsey saw a blocked shot, and after Stuart Armstrong looked wide in stoppage time, the slim advantage was enough.

Villa's first match after the international break is at Elland Road against Leeds United on October 2.

Meanwhile, Southampton play a day early as they host Frank Lampard's Everton at St Mary's.