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Southampton welcome Aston Villa to St Mary’s Stadium in Friday Night Football.
Victory could lift Southampton up to tenth whereas Villa can leapfrog their hosts with a win and move up to 12th in the table.
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Armando Broja is in contention to start for Southampton after missing their win at Watford with an ankle injury.
Moussa Djenepo (knock) is also set to be available but Jack Stephens remains absent with a knee injury.
Aston Villa will be without Danny Ings after the striker missed their Halloween defeat against West Ham with a hamstring issue.
Morgan Sanson and Jaden Philogene-Bidace (both illness) could return but Jacob Ramsey could be rested after suffering an ankle sprain, despite participating in training on Thursday.
Douglas Luiz (hamstring), Ezri Konsa (suspension), Bertrand Traore (thigh) and Trezeguet (knee) are ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Southampton have lost just one of their last six matches against Aston Villa (W4, D1, L1).
- Villa have won two of their last five league visits to St Mary’s Stadium (W2, D1, L2).
- Both teams have scored in four of their last six league meetings.
- James Ward-Prowse’s two league goals for Southampton this season have been scored from the penalty spot.
- Ezri Konsa has made 17 headed clearances for Villa this season in 10 league appearances.
Prediction
Southampton come into this match unbeaten in their last three matches after finding an aggressive attacking style, which seems to suit them especially on the flanks but they do need to learn to be more clinical with their chances because this team is capable of more goals than they are delivering.
Villa meanwhile seem to be in freefall for some reason with four defeats on the bounce which is a huge shame given their quality, although their defence seems to be their biggest issue at present alongside their attack which just doesn’t seem to be firing on their usual cylinders.
This match therefore feels like a must-win for Villa because if they lose here then I can see Dean Smith possibly getting the sack during the international break, yet they will be facing an aggressively physical Southampton team who seem to be finding confidence which could be decisive.
Prediction: Southampton 1-0 Aston Villa
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