Aston Villa vs Southampton Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News
An entertaining Premier League clash awaits when resurgent Aston Villa take on Southampton at Villa Park.
The hosts narrowly avoided relegation last season after picking up a point on the final day of the campaign, but have banished the memories of those struggles after making a sensational start to 2020/21.
Opponents Southampton had a major low point of their own last season, as they recorded the Premier League's heaviest home defeat; a truly shocking 9-0 loss to Leicester at St Mary's. But Ralph Hasenhuttl's side are made of sterner stuff now, and possess one of the league's most in-form strike duos in the shape of Che Adams and Danny Ings.
Here's 90min's preview of their clash.
How to Watch on TV
When Is Kick Off? Sunday 1 November
What Time Is Kick Off? 12:00 (GMT)
Where Is it Played? Villa Park
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports Box Office (UK)
Referee? Darren England
Team News
Aston Villa have no new injury concerns to contend with, and Dean Smith is unlikely to make many changes with his side in such good form.
The Villans did slip-up last time out, losing 3-0 at home to Leeds, but have generally been excellent this season, led superbly by Jack Grealish and complemented well by summer acquisitons Ollie Watkins and Ross Barkley.
Southampton welcome Theo Walcott back into their squad after he was ineligible to face parent club Everton last weekend, but they are still without Moussa Djenepo and Will Smallbone.
Summer arrival Mohammed Salisu remains unavailable too, but his absence should be adequately covered in defence.
Predicted Lineups
Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konza, Mings, Targett; Luiz, McGinn, Barkley; Trezeguet, Grealish, Watkins
Southampton: McCarthy; Walker Peters, Vestergaard, Bednarek, Bertrand; Armstrong, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Redmond; Adams, Ings
Recent Form
Villa are a game behind most, but have been scintillating for the most part of 2020/21.
The signings of Watkins and Barkley appear to be an inspired bit of business, and the return to the limelight of Jack Grealish has helped ten-fold. Defensively, they are also more resolute and in Ezri Konsa, they have a potential star of the future.
Four wins from five is a good start in anyone's book, let alone for a side who were expected to struggle once again.
Southampton are another side in good touch, winning three of their opening six league games. Scoring goals isn't a problem for Ralph Hasenhuttl's troops, but they do still have moments of fragility in defence.
Danny Ings and Che Adams are a sparklingly dynamic partnership up front, while James Ward-Prowse and Oriel Romeu offer great balance in midfield.
Here's how both sides have performed in their last five.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa 0-3 Leeds (23/10)
Leicester 0-1 Aston Villa (18/10)
Aston Villa 7-2 Liverpool (04/10)
Aston Villa 0-1 Stoke (Carabao Cup) (01/10)
Fulham 0-3 Aston Villa (28/09)
Southampton
Southampton 2-0 Everton (25/10)
Chelsea 3-3 Southampton (17/10)
Southampton 2-0 West Brom (04/10)
Burnley 0-1 Southampton (26/09)
Southampton 2-5 Tottenham (20/09)
Prediction
Two sides playing well in a season where absolutely anything can happen; how on earth can you make a logical prediction?
In the absence of that being available, the only sensible thing is to predict goals - as the Premier League is absolutely full of them this season. Both sides are very capable in attack, which could render defensive masterclasses an absolute non-starter.
A share of the spoils can't be ruled out, consequently.
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-2 Southampton