Jhon Duran scored the only goal as Aston Villa defeated Premier League bottom side Southampton 1-0.
The Colombian's first-half goal was enough to seal a hard-fought victory for Unai Emery's side, who climbed to fifth place after back-to-back wins at Villa Park.
Villa, who ended an eight-match winless streak in all competitions with Wednesday's win over Brentford, broke through in the 24th minute.
Duran – making his first Premier League start of the season – stole possession from Taylor Harwood-Bellis and stormed clear of Nathan Wood before bending the ball into the net.
Southampton were unable to respond and failed to register a single shot on target as their winless streak on the road in the top flight stretched to 15 games.
With Brighton and Fulham only playing on Sunday – and Nottingham Forest in action later on Saturday – Villa leapfrogged the trio into fifth place with 25 points – 20 more than their opponents, who are still seven adrift at the foot of the table.
Consecutive Premier League wins at Villa Park in a week#AVLSOU || #UpTheVilla pic.twitter.com/z7ghCye3g7
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 7, 2024
Data debrief: A rare zero for Villa
Villa's first home win in the Premier League without conceding since a 2-0 win over Wolves in March takes them within two points of the top four.
It was only the second clean sheet in twenty league games for Emery's side, who are unbeaten in their twelve games against promoted teams under the Spaniard.
Duran decided the match with his sixth goal from outside the box since the start of last season, a figure surpassed in the Premier League only by Manchester City's Phil Foden (eight).
After their latest setback, Southampton become only the fourth side to have five or fewer points after fifteen games in a Premier League season, after Sunderland (five in 2005-06) and Sheffield United twice (five in 2023-2024 and two in 2020) . -21).
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