Aston Villa: Chris Sutton makes ‘really big’ prediction ahead of Southampton clash
Aston Villa welcome Southampton to Villa Park on Friday evening with their eyes firmly on securing their second win of the season.
The Villans most recently earned a very respectable draw at home to the reigning Premier League champions Manchester City and Steven Gerrard will be trying his best to keep that momentum going.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Saints have surprised a few this season too but Chris Sutton thinks that Villa could just edge what he anticipates to be a tight affair.
“This is a really big game for Aston Villa as we head into the international break with Gerrard coming under a bit of pressure,” he said in his BBC Sport predictions.
“Southampton have made a better start to the season than Villa have, but the home fans will expect to win this one. It’s going to be close, but I think Villa will edge it.”
Must win
Home games are already starting to become very critical for Gerrard and Aston Villa after a less than impressive start to the 2022-23 campaign leaves them fractionally above the relegation zone.
There are some very difficult games on the horizon for Villa including trips to Newcastle United and Leeds United while Chelsea and Manchester United are set to visit the Midlands by early November.
There is also the prospect of a brutal few days post the Qayar World Cup where Liverpool at home and Tottenham Hotspur away await the Villans and they need to have a good gap to the drop before them.
Southampton are there for the taking despite some very impressive performances in spells and a few of their young signings showing glimpses of brilliance but while they are still learning and gelling, Aston Villa must take advantage.
The return fixture due for 21 January will be a very different game so they have to pick up three points now.
In other Aston Villa news, this breakout star of the season so far has to be the first name on Gerrard’s teamsheet against the Saints.