SOUTHAMPTON 0-3 ASTON VILLA: Ollie Watkins replaced Marcus Rashford and delivered an instant impact for Unai Emery in a surprisingly tricky Premier League visit to St Mary’s – having been left out again after being benched vs PSG
Outstanding Ollie Watkins outlined why he remains Aston Villa’s main man by keeping Unai Emery ’s men in the hunt for a top-five finish.
Held in reserve until the final 11 minutes of their Champions League tie away to PSG midweek, Villa’s top scorer delivered big time when replacing an ineffective Marcus Rashford at St Mary’s.
Having won a penalty kick, which Marco Asensio had saved by Aaron Ramsdale, within two minutes of coming on, Watkins produced a majestic finish for the opening goal with a first-time lob at full stretch that went in off the crossbar. And fellow subs Donyell Malen, harshly omitted from their European squad, and John McGinn drilled home to inflict a 26th defeat in 32 on sorry Saints.
Despite the scoreline, there was at least a bit of fight from Saints a week after relegation was confirmed. A defence that last kept a clean sheet in mid-December held their shape well, with Rusk moving to a five-man line, and they even showed signs of life in the final third.
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Towering centre forward Paul Onuachu caused Tyrone Mings some early cause for concern, while Cameron Archer brought a decent save from Emi Martinez after getting behind Ian Maatsen.
Villa, however, were far from sharp. As the first half progressed they began to dominate possession and territory more without ever getting into ideal shooting position.
Jacob Ramsey, Matty Cash, Marco Asensio and Youri Tielemans all tried their luck from range – and only the latter brought a save from an unusually quiet Aaron Ramsdale.
A similar pattern continued well into the second half, though Marcus Rashford did deliver a low cross begging to be tapped in and sent a free kick from more than 30 yards narrowly over. But that set piece would be the loanee’s final act as Watkins replaced him and within two minutes lured Jan Bendarek into conceding a penalty with a sloppy challenge.
Marco Asensio’s attempt was by no means awful but Ramsdale went the right way and got a strong hand to it and maintain parity. Undeterred, Watkins’ next act was to break the deadlock. And while Saints’ fine defensive work was undone by their relaxed marking, allowing Watkins the space to get on the end of Youri Tielemans’ long ball, it was a simply stunning finish.
Saints’ fragile mindset was exposed by falling behind and Malen latched on to Morgan Rogers’ nice through ball before picking out the bottom left corner.
McGinn earned a second penalty when fouled by Dale Stephens in added time. And while Asensio was again denied by Ramsdale, Scot McGinn reacted quickly to smash home the rebound.
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