MX23RW : Friday, March 15 05:38:42| >> :120:14330:14330:
[monks data]
Attendance: 29,729
Aston Villa logo
Premier League
Apr 23, 2016 at 3pm UK
 
Southampton logo

2-4

Westwood (45', 85')
FT(HT: 1-2)
Long (15'), Tadic (39', 71'), Mane (94')

Dusan Tadic double helps Southampton edge out Aston Villa

Southampton register a 4-2 victory over already-relegated Aston Villa to maintain their hopes of qualifying for next season's Europa League.

Two goals from Dusan Tadic have helped Southampton record a 4-2 victory over Aston Villa to move within one point of seventh-placed Liverpool in the Premier League table.

Shane Long celebrates scoring during the Premier League game between Aston Villa and Southampton on April 23, 2016© Getty Images

Shane Long had already hit the crossbar before he eventually gave Southampton the lead after 15 minutes, with the Irishman beating Joleon Lescott to the ball to head home a cross from Ryan Bertrand.

Villa could have equalised through Leandro Bacuna, who headed wide from an Ashley Westwood cross, but the home side were fortunate to remain just the one goal behind when Virgil van Dijk struck the post after a corner caused confusion inside the penalty area.

However, six minutes before the break, the Saints did double their advantage when a poor backpass from Bacuna allowed Long to move towards goal and play in Tadic, who had the simple task of converting into an empty net.

Dusan Tadic celebrates scoring during the Premier League game between Aston Villa and Southampton on April 23, 2016© Getty Images

The goal saw many Villa supporters head for the exits but in added-on time in the first half, Westwood found the bottom corner of Fraser Forster's net after connecting with a loose ball at the back post.

The West Midlands outfit had the momentum when they came back out for the restart, but it was Southampton who pushed forward for a third with Long, Steven Davis and Jay Rodriguez all having shots saved by Brad Guzan within the space of five minutes.

Ashley Westwood celebrates scoring during the Premier League game between Aston Villa and Southampton on April 23, 2016© Getty Images

Villa substitute Rudy Gestede almost made the visitors pay when meeting a cross but after his header cleared the bar, Southampton went down the other end and looked to have put the result beyond doubt.

After receiving a pass from Long, who enjoyed an excellent game at Villa Park, Tadic found the bottom corner from 20 yards for his eighth goal of the season.

However, with five minutes remaining, Westwood netted his second of the match with a low drive into the bottom corner from 18 yards, and it gave his team hope of salvaging a point during the closing stages.

They were unable to force an equaliser, however, and deep into added-on time, Sadio Mane netted a fourth for the Saints to help them close the gap on the teams above them as they target a late bid for a Europa League spot.

ID:271266: cacheID:271266:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6076:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Leandro Bacuna in action for Aston Villa on January 1, 2015
Read Next:
Leandro Bacuna eyes PSV, Ajax moves
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa28174759411855
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs27165659392053
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2812794549-443
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham28105134044-435
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2875164052-1226
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2866163450-1624
18Luton TownLuton2856174159-1821
19Burnley2835202762-3514
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!