Southampton vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Follow all the reaction from St. Mary's Stadium
Southampton suffered a blow in their bid to avoid Premier League relegation as they went down 1-0 at home to Aston Villa in a match disrupted by a rogue drone on Saturday.
Ollie Watkins struck Villa’s winner in the 77th minute off a free kick by Douglas Luiz shortly after Saints had been controversially denied the opening goal by VAR.
The home crowd had erupted when Southampton skipper James Ward-Prowse’s deflected effort found the net in the 63rd minute but their joy was cut short with substitute Mohamed Elyounoussi deemed to have fouled Jacob Ramsey in the box.
Moussa Djenepo came close to a late equaliser but Villa held on for a third successive away league win as their resurgence under new manager Unai Emery continued.
Southampton, who could have escaped the drop zone with a victory, remain bottom with 15 points from 20 games. Villa stay 11th on 28 points.
Southampton vs Aston Villa
Two successive Southampton breaks are thwarted by fouls from Konsa and Buendia respectively. The latter free-kick is swung into the Villa box by Ward-Prowse, but Martinez races out of the goalmouth to pluck the ball out of the air superbly.
Southampton vs Aston Villa
A ball is knocked forward for Ramsey to chase into the Southampton box, but after getting to it he's clattered by Bazunu! The visiting players and fans scream for a penalty, but the referee waves away all their appeals!
Southampton vs Aston Villa
Lyanco rises at the back post to connect with Ward-Prowse's corner, but he can't get enough power on his header and Martinez easily gathers.
Southampton vs Aston Villa
Lavia's cross-field pass finds Edozie on the run, who looks to twist and turn away from Moreno before winning the game's first corner via a deflection off the Villa left-back.
Southampton vs Aston Villa
Moreno whips in a good cross from the left, which Buendia meets on the edge of the box, but the Argentine's glancing header doesn't have enough power or accuracy on it to trouble Bazunu.
Southampton vs Aston Villa
Buendia kicks off for the visitors, and we are up and running at St. Mary's!
Southampton vs Aston Villa
The teams head out onto the pitch, and we're just moments away from kick-off on the south coast!
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