4 moments that changed everything in Aston Villa’s win over Southampton | OneFootball

Aston Villa did not need a spectacle. They needed results. And that is exactly what they dished out in the 3–0 win against already-relegated Southampton, away in the Premier League. The wide margin of the scoreline might fool anyone looking at the final scores. For those three points only came after plenty of perseverance, tactical switches by coach Unai Emery, and pinpoint substitutions that transformed the game altogether. Below are four ways in which Villa turned a slow, battled game into a good and tactical win.

1. Dominance with little effectiveness in the first half

Villa controlled possession and kept the ball in the attacking third from the very start, but they did not know how to kill. Tielemans and Ramsey tried from distance, Onana tried his luck, and even dangerous corners were theirs to claim. However, the goal just wouldn't come. Southampton held firm and only threatened once via Cameron Archer, who was thwarted by Martínez. At the end of the first half, Villa kept pushing but ran into Ramsdale, who made point-blank saves and kept the game scoreless.

Southampton FC v Aston Villa FC - Premier League | Robin Jones/GettyImages

2. Game-changing substitutes and breaking the deadlock

The game only took a turn when Emery made his substitutes. Watkins, Malen, and McGinn were introduced from the bench and played a direct role in all three goals. Watkins had won a penalty just after being introduced to the field, but Asensio, the penalty kicker, was denied by Ramsdale. The goalkeeper's save seemed to have taken the pressure off Villa's rhythm. But three minutes later, Watkins was played a beautiful ball by Tielemans, took it in his stride, and clipped Ramsdale with a precision touch that kissed the crossbar and settled in. Malen scored the second with a low, firm drive, after being set up by Rogers, and Villa were in total control from then on.

Southampton FC v Aston Villa FC - Premier League | Robin Jones/GettyImages

3. Asensio misses two penalties, but Villa take over in injury time

McGinn earned another penalty, and Asensio had a second chance. He tried the same side, and Ramsdale saved again.But this time the rebound was still alive in the box, and McGinn was there to finish it and seal the score. The two penalty saves by Ramsdale from the Spanish midfielder were the highlight, but Villa was patient and in control even when the goals were not coming easily. Tactical consistency and a broader attacking playbook did the trick.

4. Fifth place in sight and momentum building

The win took Villa to fifth place, with four Premier League victories in a row, three of them away, all without conceding a goal, and moved them to 54 points. They still need Chelsea and Newcastle to drop points if they're to stay fifth, though, which is more valuable than ever with the new Champions League format.