Southampton VS Aston Villa Match Prediction
2020-02-22
15:00:00
Southampton
VS
Aston Villa
Our Prediction Tip
Southampton will win this match.
2020-02-2215:00:00 Southampton will win this match.
Southampton are unbeaten in their last seven matches against Aston Villa in all competitions. This season’s previous meeting was their first since April 2016, however. At Villa Park, Danny Ings struck twice either side of Jack Stephens’ goal, before Jack Grealish pulled a late consolation back for the hosts.
Southampton and Aston Villa both come into this match in poor recent form, with Villa very much still in relegation trouble and the Saints back out of form after pulling clear of the drop over Christmas.
Both have lost 3-2 to Tottenham among their recent defeats, suffering late losses in matches they could have got something out of.
In Southampton’s favour, however, is their good record against Aston Villa and their home advantage – while Villa may also have one eye, however much they will discourage it, on the Carabao Cup final.
Jack Grealish’s form remains good for the visitors, but they have suffered badly with injuries and lacked any consistency – partly because of that.
Southampton, on the other hand, have Danny Ings banging them in front but have injury concerns in other areas – Kyle Walker-Peters’ absence will force James Ward-Prowse back to right-back, for example.
Southampton were in a purple patch of form over Christmas, which included their away win at Villa Park in which they were comfortably the better team.
If they can recapture that in this game, they can ensure their focus remains on picking off teams above them, rather than looking nervously over their shoulders at the relegation zone again.
Southampton are 8/13 favourites to win at home to Aston Villa with Bet365, Ladbrokes, Betfair, Paddy Power, Betway, 10Bet and 888sport all offering those odds.
Neither side is in good defensive form, however, and both teams to score will return a best price of 4/6 with Betway.
Southampton to win and BTTS is 21/10 with Bet365 and Betfair, while over 2.5 goals will return a best price of 4/6 with Betfair.
Danny Ings is in top form up front for the Saints, including two goals when these teams last met, and he is 4/5 with Betfair to score at any time.
Aston Villa hit some good league form ahead of their winter break and if they can hit the ground running on their return, they can continue their recent good streak of results against the Saints.
Having missed training with a foot injury this week, Sofiane Boufal is unlikely to feature at the weekend. Kyle Walker-Peters is in the same boat, which could mean James Ward-Prowse returning to right-back, while Nathan Redmond is a longer-term absentee.
Danny Ings – Scored in the last two matches to move to 18 goals in all competitions so far this season – including two when these teams last met.
Stuart Armstrong – With Boufal and Redmond ruled out, the winger needs to be at his creative best going forward for Southampton.
Shane Long – The big striker has established himself back in the starting XI alongside Ings, and the Irishman will be keen to get back in the goals.
Southampton have lost their last three matches in a row in all competitions – two in the league, either side of their dramatic FA Cup loss to Tottenham. Danny Ings and Shane Long scored their goals in their 3-2 loss to Spurs, while Ings was on target again last weekend when the Saints lost 2-1 at home to Burnley.
Tyrone Mings should be back to fitness after illness, but Wesley and Tom Heaton are out for the season and Keinan Davis and John McGinn will be sidelined until next week.
Jack Grealish – Scored when these teams last met and grabbed another assist last weekend to continue his fine season to date.
Anwar El Ghazi – Six goals and six assists so far this season for the forward have proved his worth going forward.
Pepe Reina – The hugely experienced goalkeeper could be a key asset in Aston Villa’s fight against relegation for the rest of this season.
Aston Villa have lost both league matches they have played this month. They suffered a 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth despite Mbwana Samatta scoring after the hosts were reduced to ten men. Then, last weekend, an own goal and Bjorn Engels’ strike looked like it would earn a draw at home to Tottenham, only for Spurs to pop up with a last-minute equaliser.
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