Team News: Southampton make three changes for Aston Villa, visitors change four

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has made three changes from his side's last Premier League game at Manchester City for their match against Aston Villa this afternoon.

Italian striker Graziano Pelle returns up front in place of Shane Long, while Dusan Tadic comes in for Oriol Romeu in midfield, as Steven Davis moves to defensive midfield.

Right-back Cedric Soares is preferred to Maya Yoshida, while captain Jose Fonte starts at centre-back after missing his side's 6-1 League Cup thrashing by Liverpool in midweek with a knee problem.

Visitors Aston Villa have made four changes from the side that was defeated 3-2 by Watford last weekend, as Rudy Gestede returns up front in place of Carles Gil, while Jordan Ayew moves to the right wing.

Jores Okore and Joleon Lescott replace the injured Micah Richards and suspended Ciaran Clark at centre-back, while Leandro Bacuna comes in for Kieron Richardson at left-back.

Southampton: Stekelenburg; Soares, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand; Wanyama, Ward-Prowse; Mane, Davis, Tadic; Pelle Subs: Davis, Clasie, Long, Romeu, Martina, Juanmi, Caulker

Aston Villa: Guzan; Hutton, Okore, Lescott, Bacuna; Veretout, Sanchez, Gueye; Ayew, Gestede, Sinclair Subs: Bunn, Ilori, Agbonlahor, Westwood, Richardson, Traore, Gil

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