Aston Villa returned to the West Midlands with three vital points on Saturday night after a controversial affair at Southampton. Ross Barkley’s first-half header ended a winless run of five matches for the visitors as they held on to a 1-0 victory at St Mary’s.
Barkley’s effort in the 41st minute was enough to confirm Villa’s 10th win of the campaign as his season-long spell from Chelsea continues to pay off for himself and his current club.
The England international, whose form must be putting Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate on notice, scored the only goal of the game after a fine Villa move. Former Southampton left back Matt Targett slid in Jack Grealish down the left hand-side. The Villa captain dug out a cross to find Barkley in the area who glanced the ball back across goal, leaving Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy routed to the spot.
It was the Liverpudlian’s first goal in three months, with his last being away at Leicester City. Coincidentally, Villa also went on to win that game 1-0.
On Saturday night, Barkley was one of the visitors’ standout performers. His first half stats epitomised his importance in the No 10 role. In the opening 45 minutes, the Aston Villa No 20 completed 100 per cent of his final-third passes, four ball recoveries, created two chances created and scored with his first attempt.
The Chelsea loanee now has as many Premier League goals as Blues trio Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech combined this season.
Villa were far from their best, especially in the second half, but Barkley’s header earned a second victory in six matches for Dean Smith’s side. The Villa Park outfit had to dig deep, but not all performances have to be aesthetically pleasing. Grinding out three points like so is a sign of a quality side.
For Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl things are starting to prove problematic as his team are dropping like flies. His injury-stricken side have now lost their last three Premier League matches and have only scored two times in their previous seven matches.
Aston Villa returned to the West Midlands with three vital points on Saturday night after a controversial affair at Southampton. Ross Barkley’s first-half header ended a winless run of five matches for the visitors as they held on to a 1-0 victory at St Mary’s.
Barkley’s effort in the 41st minute was enough to confirm Villa’s 10th win of the campaign as his season-long spell from Chelsea continues to pay off for himself and his current club.
The England international, whose form must be putting Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate on notice, scored the only goal of the game after a fine Villa move. Former Southampton left back Matt Targett slid in Jack Grealish down the left hand-side. The Villa captain dug out a cross to find Barkley in the area who glanced the ball back across goal, leaving Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy routed to the spot.
It was the Liverpudlian’s first goal in three months, with his last being away at Leicester City. Coincidentally, Villa also went on to win that game 1-0.
On Saturday night, Barkley was one of the visitors’ standout performers. His first half stats epitomised his importance in the No 10 role. In the opening 45 minutes, the Aston Villa No 20 completed 100 per cent of his final-third passes, four ball recoveries, created two chances created and scored with his first attempt.
The Chelsea loanee now has as many Premier League goals as Blues trio Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech combined this season.
Villa were far from their best, especially in the second half, but Barkley’s header earned a second victory in six matches for Dean Smith’s side. The Villa Park outfit had to dig deep, but not all performances have to be aesthetically pleasing. Grinding out three points like so is a sign of a quality side.
For Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl things are starting to prove problematic as his team are dropping like flies. His injury-stricken side have now lost their last three Premier League matches and have only scored two times in their previous seven matches.
Things are looking rosier at Villa though with Smith’s side just seven points outside the top four and with two games in hand. Nitty gritty performances like Saturday night epitomise why they may well be knocking on the door for European football driven on by the likes of Barkley.
By Ben Haywood
