Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of today's Premier League clash between Southampton and Aston Villa at St Mary's.
The Saints have found life tough in England's top division thus far, losing all four of their opening fixtures to sit bottom of the Premier League. However, that run of games has included Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal.
Villa, meanwhile, recorded their first league win of the season against Swansea City last weekend to move into 13th with a total of four points from four games.
They are without a win in their last 10 away games, but recorded a 3-2 victory against the Saints the last time the two sides met in 2005.
Please note that kickoff is at 3pm.
4.54pmThanks very much for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us for La Liga football this evening. Until then!
4.52pmSo there we have it. Southampton record their first league win of the season as they recover from one down to record a 4-1 win over Villa. Bent sent the away side into the lead late in the opening half, but a double from Lambert, a strike from Clyne and a Puncheon effort secured all three points.
FULL-TIMESouthampton 4-1 Aston Villa
90 min+4Lambert steps up and smashes it past Guzan.
90 min+4GOAL! Southampton 4-1 Aston Villa (Lambert)
90 min+4PENALTY TO SOUTHAMPTON AS MAYUKA IS FELLED BY GUZAN.
90 min+3The home supporters remain in good voice as the match draws to a close. Villa have possession, but this one has been over for some time.
90 min+2Still Southampton go in search of their fourth with Lallana and Ramirez involved inside the box, but Vlaar is on hand to clear the danger.
90 minMeanwhile, we will play an additional four minutes at the end of the match.
88 minBit of a nothing encounter at the moment as the home side continue to keep the ball. It must be so so frustrating for Villa.
86 minStill the home side play their football in the Villa half. Not a great deal of attacking intent. But they are doing what is needed.
84 minChance! It's wonderful football from Southampton as Ramirez finds Lallana in the box, but he is just crowded out at the vital moment. Wonderful play from the home side.
82 minIt's all Southampton at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the Villa half. Has anyone seen the Villa midfield this half?
80 minAnother change for the home side as Ward-Prowse comes on to replace Davis. He's been really good in this second period.
79 minChance! So nearly a fourth for the home side as Mayuka curls an effort from inside the box, but it just misses the post.
77 minVilla just cannot get out at the moment as Southampton go in search of their fourth of the afternoon. The away side have fallen apart in this second period.
75 minMeanwhile, change for the home side as the goalscorer Puncheon is replaced by Mayuka. Surely Southampton have done enough to claim the victory.
73 minIt did take a huge deflection to take it past Guzan, but Southampton will not mind one bit. What a turnaround in this second period. Villa just do not know where they are.
72 minSouthampton have their third as Puncheon drives into the box before curling it in the top corner.
72 minGOAL! Southampton 3-1 Aston Villa (Puncheon)
72 minHalf-chance for the away side as Clark meets a Holman corner, but his header is just blocked. The home fans are in good voice here.
70 minChance! Almost a special moment for Puncheon as he curls an effort from inside the box, but it is just wide of the target.
68 minHere are the changes. Agbonlahor and Joe Bennett replace Lichaj and Bannan. Can Villa respond? They have been shocked in the past 15 minutes.
66 minVilla try to respond with an attack of their own, but Yoshida is on hand to clear the danger. Meanwhile, the away side are preparing a double change.
64 minWow. Brilliant spirit from Southampton. I backed 2-1 to the home side at the beginning of the match. Could I be correct for once? That was some finish for a defender.
63 minSouthampton have turned it around! It's brilliant from Ramirez as he finds Clyne in the box - and the defender slides it under the goalkeeper.
63 minGOAL! Southampton 2-1 Villa (Clyne)
63 minThis is anyone's game at the moment as Villa demonstrate their threat on the break. But the home supporters are driving their side on.
61 minHalf-chance for Southampton to take the lead as Lallana strikes from outside the box, but it was always moving high of the crossbar.
59 minIs that the turning point? We have 30 minutes remaining and there is another goal left in this one. You can just sense it.
58 minSouthampton are level as Lallana finds Lambert outside the box, and the striker thumps it into the corner.
58 minGOAL! Southampton 1-1 Aston Villa (Lambert)
56 minSuddenly Southampton have just begun to raise the tempo with Clyne and Richardson both pushing forward. But they have to be so careful about the counter threat from Villa.
54 minIt's really poor play from Lambert as he throws himself to the ground in the penalty area. There is just no place for that kind of thing. Really really poor.
53 minChance! Really bright run from Clyne as he dances past the challenges of three Villa defenders, but he just over-runs it at the vital moment. Better from Southampton.
51 minThe next goal in this match is just so important. If Villa get it, then I just do not see how Southampton recover. But if the home side score, then it is game on. End-to-end stuff at the moment.
49 minSuddenly it's all Villa as Bannan finds the head of Clark in the box, but he just heads over the bar. Meanwhile, Benteke thumps a header of his own just past the post.
49 minChance! So nearly two for Villa as Benteke finds Bent in an advanced area, but Gazzaniga makes a smart save. What a chance.
47 minDecent start to the second half for Southampton as Lallana finds the run of Puncheon, but his strike is straight at Guzan. Better from the home side.
46 minVilla kick us off in the second period. Couple of changes at the break with Frazer Richardson taking the place of Fox for the home side, while Ashley Westwood replaces Ireland for Villa.
3.59pmI'm back! Right, the second period is a few moments away. Can Southampton respond or are they heading for yet another defeat?
3.49pmOur first half report of the match can be found here. Join us again in around 10 minutes for the second period. See you soon!
3.47pmSo there we have it. Another poor half from Southampton as Darren Bent hands Aston Villa a 1-0 lead at the break. In truth, not a great deal has happened in the opening period, but Southampton's struggles continue.
HALF-TIMESouthampton 0-1 Aston Villa
45 min+1Not a great deal happening as we approach the break. It appears that Villa will enter the interval with their lead intact.
45 minMeanwhile, we will play an additional one minute at the end of the half.
44 minFor the first time you can just sense some frustration from the home crowd. The players really need the supporters to stay with them. Otherwise it could turn into a bit of a nightmare.
42 minI've said it before and I'll say it again. Vlaar is a proper Premier League defender. The Dutchman has been so impressive in his short career in England thus far. Meanwhile, Southampton have just gone into their shell following the opening goal.
40 minSuddenly it's all Villa in the latter stages of the half with Bent and Ireland beginning to have an influence. Southampton need to be really really careful here.
38 minIn keeping with the game, it was far from pretty. But it's a huge goal in the context of this match. How do Southampton respond?
36 minVilla lead and it's that man Bent as he taps an Ireland shot home from close range.
36 minGOAL! Southampton 0-1 Aston Villa (Bent)
37 minJust a reminder that Villa have never lost at St Mary's. However, they surely have to improve if they are to continue that record. Still the match remains bitty with both sides losing possession in midfield.
35 minIt has been quite a fall from grace for Aston Villa. It was not long ago that they were knocking on the European door. But sales of key players has left them a shadow of their former selves.
33 minHalf-chance for Villa as Holan finds Bannan on the opposite wing, but the midfielder's shot is poor and wide of the target.
31 minSouthampton have enjoyed 58% of the ball in the opening 30 minutes, but in truth, they have not done a great deal with it thus far. Bit of a nothing match at the moment.
29 minStill Southampton attack as Lallana searches out Lambert in the box, but Vlaar powers the header clear once more. The Villa skipper looks like he has been playing his whole career in the Premier League.
27 minSighter for the away side as Lichaj and Bannan link down the left, but Fonte comes across to make a fine challenge. End-to-end stuff at the moment.
25 minAgain it's bright from the home side as Ramirez and Lallana link in midfield, but their final ball has just been lacking thus far. They really need a goal.
23 minHalf-chance for the away side as Bannan finds Bent with a fine pass, but Fonte is on hand to make a last-ditch challenge. Really nice stuff from the defender.
21 minBest spell of the match for Villa as Bannan and Ireland link down the left, but the latter's cross for Bent is just cut out. Meanwhile, Ramirez fires wide for Southampton down the other end.
19 minDecent play from Southampton as Clyne and Ramirez link down the right, but Vlaar is on hand to head the danger clear. It really is finely balanced at the moment.
17 minHalf-chance for the home side as Davis picks up possession outside the box, but his strike was always moving wide of the crossbar. You just get the feeling that the home side have to score while on top.
15 minVilla just cannot get out at the moment as the home side press deep in their half. Bannan searches out the run of Bent with a ranging pass, but it drifts out of play.
13 minAnother sighter for Southampton as Puncheon searches out the head of Lambert in the box, but his header is wide of the target. The match is just starting to liven up after a quiet opening.
11 minAgain it's bright play from the home side as Lallana surges forward from midfield and finds Lambert, but the striker's effort was always moving high of the crossbar.
9 minSouthampton are just starting to influence the match with Ramirez seeing plenty of the ball. However, neither side has created any real chances of note thus far.
7 minFirst real link-up from the home side sees Lambert and Lallana exchange passes in the box, but the final ball is just too long and Guzan collects.
5 minSighter for Villa as Bannan attempts to find the run of Bent down the right, but his pass is just too long for the England man. Quiet start at St Mary's from both sides.
3 minVilla continue to dominate the football early on, however, a rare venture forward for Southampton sees a Puncheon cross just cut out in the area.
1 minSouthampton kick us off on this mild afternoon on the South coast. However, Villa immediately gain possession of the ball. It's a big afternoon for them today.
2.57pmJust a final reminder that Yoshida and Ramirez make their first starts for the home side. Meanwhile, Benteke joins Bent in attack for Villa.
2.54pmHere we go then. Both sets of players are emerging onto the pitch. I can see some sun breaking through down South. Let's hope it is here to stay!
2.51pmMeanwhile, here's a word from former Southampton defender Joe Jordan on the BBC: "They have to collect points from this game against Aston Villa. After two fantastic seasons under their manager Nigel Adkins, they are now under pressure as they are playing teams who have quality, and if you make mistakes, they will punish you. Today, it is a game that Southampton have to win. They have to win it for the confidence of the players, and as there are expectations within the club as well. I think the fixture list has been cruel, but they have to dig in now."
2.48pmIt's that time again now. Regular followers will know what I am talking about. Yep, prediction time. I'm going for 2-1 Southampton. It's a game they just have to win.
2.45pmMeanwhile, following the Everton result, here's a word from former Welsh international Robbie Savage on the BBC: "I just wish David Moyes was allowed to spend a lot of money. What could he do if he had £40m to spend?"
2.42pmSo, we are just about 20 minutes from kickoff on this mild afternoon in Southampton. We are expecting a full house at St Mary's.
2.39pmMeanwhile, a result to bring you from the early kickoff: Swansea City 0-3 Everton. Some start to the season David Moyes's side have made.
2.36pmJust a reminder that this is not the only Premier League match we are covering this afternoon. Chelsea vs. Stoke City and West Ham United vs. Sunderland can also be found with us.
2.33pmLooking back at the home side's season thus far. They have equalled Swindon's record for most goals conceded - 14 - in the first four games of a Premier League season. It would be fair to state that they have struggled with the pace of the league thus far.
2.30pmSouthampton subs: Davis, Rodriguez, Ward-Prowse, Guly, Richardson, Mayuka, Seaborne
Villa subs: Given, N'Zogbia, Agbonlahor, Westwood, Bowery, Weimann, Bennett
2.27pmVilla, meanwhile, pair Benteke and Bent in attack. Vlaar continues to skipper the side, but there is still no place for Charles N'Zogbia or Gabriel Agbonlahor, who both start on the bench.
2.25pmSo there we have it. Rickie Lambert is also given the nod in attack for Southampton. Meanwhile, Steven Davis also starts in midfield.
2.23pmTeams:
Southampton: Gazzaniga; Clyne, Yoshida, Fonte, Fox; Schneiderlin, Ramirez, Davis, Lallana; Puncheon, Lambert
Aston Villa: Guzan; Vlaar, Clark, Lowton, Lichaj; Ireland, Holmann, Bannan, El Ahmadi; Bent, Benteke
2.21pmTEAM NEWS: Maya Yoshida and Ramirez both come in for Southampton. Meanwhile, Kelvin Davies is replaced by Paulo Gazzaniga.
2.18pmJust a reminder that we are expecting the team news in a few moments. No major surprises are expected for either side, but we shall soon see. It?s just such an important match for both clubs.
2.15pmIt hasn't been the best of starts to the new campaign for Villa boss Paul Lambert, who took charge of the club in the summer. They began with successive defeats to West Ham United and Everton, but they are unbeaten in their last two - three if you include the Capital Cup win over Tranmere Rovers.
2.12pmVilla, meanwhile, recorded a morale-boosting 2-0 victory over Swansea City last time out. They were also buoyed by the performance of Christian Benteke, who looks capable of forming a dangerous partnership with Darren Bent.
2.09pmThe Saints were beaten 6-1 by Arsenal last weekend, but there was a positive with new signing Gaston Ramirez making his first start for the club. There was also a fine display in midfield from youngster James Ward-Prowse, who looks a proper player. But as Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson so often says, this is a results business.
2.06pmRedknapp, who resides in Bournemouth, is looking for a return to the Premier League after leaving Tottenham Hotspur in the summer and it has been reported that he could take over at St Mary's. For the sake of football as a whole, let's hope that Adkins is given time. I think he has earned it!
2.03pmIt seems quite extraordinary that Adkins could be shown the door following back-to-back promotions to the Premier League, but there is a certain figure by the name of Harry Redknapp hovering in the shadows.
2pmGood afternoon all! The Premier League season is just four games old, but already we are talking about a possible managerial casualty in the shape of Saints boss Nigel Adkins.
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
