Preview: Southampton vs. Aston Villa

Southampton return home to face Aston Villa on Wednesday night after difficult trips to the Premier League's top two clubs.

Mauricio Pochettino's side surrendered an early lead at Chelsea yesterday to follow up last week's defeat at Arsenal.

Despite the pair of losses, the Saints are still within two points of the top four and now host a Villa side unbeaten in four games.

Pochettino is likely to bring Rickie Lambert, who scored in both games against Villa last season, back into the starting lineup after Pablo Osvaldo's ineffectual performance at Chelsea.

Goalkeeper Artur Boruc has been ruled out for six weeks with a broken hand, with Paulo Gazzaniga set to be given the gloves.

Paul Lambert, meanwhile, will probably stick with the same Villa starting XI that limped to a goalless draw against Sunderland.

Christian Benteke's recent goal drought has led to suggestions that he may be dropped and if Lambert does make a bold move, Libor Kozak is the most likely replacement up top.

Recent form

Southampton: LLWDWD Villa: DDWDLL

Possible starting lineups:

Southampton: Boruc; Clyne, Fonte, Lovren, Shaw; Wanyama, Schneiderlin; Ward-Prowse, Lallana, Rodriguez; Lambert

Villa: Guzan; Bacuna, Vlaar, Clark, Luna; Delph, Westwood, El Ahmadi; Agbonlahor, Benteke, Weimann

Sports Mole says: 1-1