After a good rant from Gordon Strachan a revitalised Saints looked as though they may actually be able to take something from the fixture. In the end though, the dismal first half effort cost Saints the points at Villa park and they just didn't have enough to pull back a two goal deficit.
To be fair Saints were missing four first team players in Pahars, Oakley, Jones and Marsden but it should have provided their replacements with an excellent opportunity to prove themselves. Saints lined up with Moss in goal for his first game of the season. With speculation surrounding his future at the club, Moss put in a good show, although his kicking was poor. Ormerod and Fernandes came into the side although both have a ways yet in order to fully convince, Fernandes more than Ormerod.
Saints got the first chance of the match after a good run into the box form Ormerod. Enckleman, the villa keeper, charged it down but it was promising.
Of course it couldn't last, despite an effort from Bridge. A Hitzleberger's cross reached Vassell after six minutes and the England International headed past Moss. It was an excellent jump and there was nothing that Moss could do.
Hitzleberger, a former Bayern player, would prove to be exceptionally dangerous and he was joined by Vassell in causing Saints serious problems. Crouch, once of Portsmouth also caused difficulties, winning every arial challenge.
The first half continued to be wave after wave of Villa attacks.
After 16 minutes Hitzleberger put a freekick into the side netting.
Saints tried to get back into the game, an Ormerod header going wide forma Beattie cross and Fernandes' shot going well over as he got underneath it.
However, Villa kept on putting pressure on the Saints backline. Another Hitzleberger free kick form the edge of the box went right across the goal and Crouch's touch took it wide. A header form Gareth Barry went wide form a Delaney cross.
Saints defence was even getting jittery with Williams leaving a ball for Moss, allowing Vassell to get in between defender and keeper. Moss saved well and fortunately Hitzleberger's follow up went wide.
Another Delaney long throw after 31 minutes caused the firs of several goalmouth scrambles in the afternoon, but Crouch put the ball over. If only Delap's long throws proved were as dangerous as Delaney's.
After Fernandes found his shot blocked by Delaney, Villa broke forward with a combination of passing between Crouch and Vassell. Steve Stone should really have finished the move off with a goal but Saints managed to get back to concede a corner.
. Moss was under more pressure a couple of minutes later, having to deal with an awkward Hitzleberger. Villa's next effort resulted in another scramble and a Saints freekick in their own box.
With half time looming, Saints best effort was an ambitious long range Delap shot which went well wide. Saints really needed to get into half time with as little damage as possible.
However Villa had other ideas. A lovely Barry ball over the top of the flat Saints defence was latched onto by the excellent Vassell. His early, clinical right footed finish deceived Moss for Villa's second.
With Villa looking the far better team and dangerous on every attack, this game looked well beyond Saints.
Gordon Strachan made tow changes for the second half. Clearly, there was no way that the team could continue as they were. Tahar El-Khalej, who had played so well recently, came on for Williams, who had had a pretty poor game. Jo Tessem, who so rarely features under the new manager came on for Fernandes, who shows a few touches and little else.
The changes and the rocket form Strachan brought an immediate response. Rory Delap has impressed in recent weeks and he made a fantastic run form the half way line, outpacing his marker, and surging into the penalty area. As the keeper came out, he slotted the ball past him only to see it strike the post.
Saints weren't to be denied as Delap again got involved in the following move. Svensson got the ball to Ormerod who unselfishly put the ball across from the left to the waiting Beattie who put it in the net.
Saints were positive in this half. While not as accomplished looking as Villa had been, they looked as though they could salvage a point form the game.
Villa first troubled Moss, this half, on the 61st minute form a corner which he rose well to collect ahead of Crouch.
With the game beginning to drop again in pace, Villa made three changes in order to stifle Southampton and ensure the points.
Saints still had their chances, though, with Delap and Enckleman chasing for the ball on 65 minutes. The ball then dropped to Beattie who put it wide.
Brett Ormerod impressed with his work rate he headed over after 72 minutes as well having made an excellent run a couple of minutes before. Ormerod went off for Kevin Davies in 80 minutes in a last effort to get a goal. Davies form since his return would have suggested that Ormerod would have been a better bet to stay on.
Saints failed to get the equaliser, and the space they left when pushing forward gave Villa a few chances to get a third. Moss did well to save form a shot and header form Hadji as well as a late header from Vassell.
Good Points:
Moss performed well and should play in the last game, if only to improve his kicking and confidence; Telfer was his usual solid self; Ormerod worked hard and is noticeably improving; Delap had an excellent game and hopefully we can get a few goals from him too. Finally Tahar looked an improvement over Williams, although he is better placed when we are chasing a game.
Bad Points :
We were dreadful in the first half, although not as pitiful as last week.
WE ARE STILL NOT SAFE FROM RELEGATION. Although it's not at all likely, it's still alarming that we have failed to take advantage of our mid-season results and consolidate in the middle of the table.
You have to look at us as relegation contenders rather than a midtable mediocrity side.
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