Southampton 0-3 Aston Villa: Ollie Watkins replaced Marcus Rashford and yielded an immediate impact for Unai Emery in a surprisingly difficult Premier League visit to St Mary's -after he had been omitted against PSG
Excellent Ollie Watkins outlined why he remains the most important man of Aston Villa by keeping the men of Unai Emery on the hunt for a top five finish.
Held in reserve up to the last 11 minutes of their Champions League -similar game to PSG Midweek, the top scorer of Villa Groot delivered to replacing an ineffective Marcus Rashford at St Mary's.
After he had won a penalty staircase, who had saved Marco Asensio by Aaron Ramsdale, Watkins produced a majestic finish within two minutes after the rise for the opening goal with a first lob on full rack that appeared from the crossbar. And colleague -Uil Donyell Malen, hardly left out of their European team, and John McGinn brought home to bring a 26th defeat to Sorry Saints in 32.
Despite the score, there was at least a little fight of saints a week after the relegation was confirmed. A defense that last held a clean sheet in mid-December held their shape well, with Rusk going to a five-man line, and they even showed signs of life in the last third part.
Towering Center Vooruit Paul Onuachu caused Tyrone Mings an early reason for concern, while Cameron Archer brought a considerable rescue from EMI Martinez after he had fallen behind Ian Maatsen.
Villa, however, was far from sharp. As the first half progressed, they started to dominate the possession and territory without ever getting into an ideal shooting position.
Jacob Ramsey, Matty Cash, Marco Asensio and Youri Tielemans all tried their happiness from reach – and only the latter brought a save from an unusually quiet Aaron Ramsdale.
A similar pattern went well into the second half, although Marcus Rashford begged a low cross to be tapped and sent a free kick of more than 30 meters of scary. But that set piece would be the last act of the loaner, while Watkins replaced him and lured Jan Bendarek within two minutes to give a fine with a sloppy challenge.
Marco Asensio's attempt was by no means terrible, but Ramsdale went in the right direction and got a strong hand and maintained parity. Anxiety, the next act of Watkins was to break the impasse. And although the fine defensive work of Saints was undone by their relaxed marking, so Watkins could come to the end of the long ball of Youri Tielemans, it was a simply astonishing finish.
The fragile mentality of Saints was exposed by falling back and grinding to Morgan Rogers' Nice through the ball before he chose the left corner.
McGinn earned a second penalty when it was polluted by Dale Stephens in extra time. And while Asensio was re -refused by Ramsdale, Scot McGinn responded quickly to hit the rebound home.
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