View: Aston Villa must prevent Southampton crosses after stat reveal
It’s been a positive couple of months for Aston Villa since Unai Emery’s arrival and after the 2-1 win over Leeds United, a ten-point gap has now emerged between them and the bottom three.
Relegation shouldn’t be a worry for the Villans in the second half of the season, which will give the Spaniard the perfect chance to get his side into the best shape possible for the 2023/24 campaign.
There’s an outside chance of a push for Europe, but realistically there are plenty of in-form teams and some big-hitters who are yet to really get going in between the Villans and the European places.
Next up for Emery’s side is a trip to the South Coast to face an in-form Southampton side who have picked up under Nathan Jones in recent weeks.
The Saints are coming off of an impressive win against Everton and also dumped Manchester City out of the FA Cup. Here Villa News takes a look at the areas of Southampton’s game which could cause concern for Villa on Saturday (21 January).
Firstly, it goes without saying, Southampton have one of the best technicians in the Premier League in James Ward-Prowse and the 28-year-old was at his very best in the 2-1 win over Everton at Goodison Park.
Ward-Prowse is known for his ability to score from outside the box and currently sits in the top 30 players for shot accuracy in the Premier League (Wyscout). When you consider the majority of his efforts come from distance, this is extremely impressive.
Villa must avoid giving away free-kicks near their box. At the moment, Villa have given away the sixth most free-kicks in the Premier League and this is something they must avoid doing against the Saints.
Southampton are a side that like to utilise the ball in the air, with 868 aerial duels contested so far in the 2022/23 season, which is more than any other team in the league. If Villa give the Saints the opportunity to send balls into their box, there’s a chance they could give up a number of chances.
Emery will need Tyrone Mings to be at his imperious best to ensure the Villans keep a clean sheet at St Mary’s.
Jones’ side also have the highest accuracy from crosses in the Premier League, with left-back Romain Perraud having the Saints’ most pinpoint delivery (33 per cent).
There’s a good feeling at St Mary’s at the moment and Villa must be prepared for a fast start from the home side on Saturday. If Emery’s men can weather the early storm and defend resolutely, there’s a good chance they will be able to hurt their hosts in an attacking sense.
Aston Villa were poor against Leeds but still managed to get on the scoresheet twice, which is a good sign.
In other Aston Villa news, this one first-team player could quickly become a fan-favourite after his brilliant performance against Leeds in the Premier League.