Premier League: Southampton vs. Aston Villa Picks — Visitors to Maintain UCL Challenge (Apr 12)

A miserable season for Southampton was confirmed last weekend after their relegation to the Championship was announced. Aston Villa still have important points to fight for, as they have their sights set on a Champions League finish.

Unai Emery’s side travel to St. Mary’s in between a massive Champions League tie against PSG. However, their domestic form has been strong, winning each of their last four.

Southampton could make unwanted history this season, as they are still on course to break Derby County’s record-low number of points in the competition.

Odds

Villa Unbeaten in Four Against Saints

Aston Villa have recorded wins in each of their last four matches against Southampton. Interestingly, each of the last three have been secured by 1-0 scorelines.

Southampton have registered one win in their last six against Villa, with that success being achieved on home soil in November 2021; also by a 1-0 scoreline.

Southampton vs. Aston Villa Key Stats

• Southampton are the first team in EPL history to have been relegated with seven matches of the season remaining.
• Aston Villa have won seven on the bounce across all competitions for the first time since April 2019.

Southampton Team News

Flynn Downes will be suspended for the Saints this weekend after accumulating ten yellow cards. Juan Larios and Ryan Fraser are ruled out due to injury.

Possible Lineup

A. Ramsdale (GK); K. Walker-Peters, J. Bednarek, T. Harwood-Bellis, R. Manning, J. Aribo, W. Smallbone, T. Dibling, M. Fernandes, K. Sulemana, C. Archer

Aston Villa Team News

Emery will have a fully fit squad available for the remainder of the season. Lewis Dobbin is the only player absent, but the forward would have been unlikely to feature in the matchday squad regardless.

Possible Lineup

D. Martinez (GK); A. Garcia, A. Disasi, T. Mings, I. Maatsen, A. Onana, J. McGinn, D. Malen, M. Asensio, J. Ramsey, M. Rashford

Southampton vs. Aston Villa Picks

Southampton are one of the worst teams in Premier League history, and it is incredibly hard to see them picking up another point this season.

Villa have hit their stride in recent weeks, and there is little evidence to suggest that they won’t have the class to gain maximum points this Saturday.