Barclays Premier League

FULL-TIME

It's a valuable three points for Southampton and yet another disappointing result for Villa. Paul Lambert will be upset with the decision to award a penalty to the Saints in the first half; it appeared that Jay Rodriguez may have taken a dive. Nevertheless his side's inability to score should be a bigger concern. Christian Benteke was excellent today despite missing two golden opportunities, but Southampton's Rickie Lambert was arguably man of the match after scoring the winning penalty and being so instrumental in the chances that his team created. Today's result has hauled Southampton above Newcastle and into 15th place, while Aston Villa have been plunged into the relegation zone on goal difference.

BOOKING FOR WEIMANN

A frustrated Andreas Weimann is booked for arguing with the linesman.

OPEN GOAL

Christian Benteke has been fantastic in the second half, but he's missed a chance to get Villa level late on. He flicks the ball onto Gabriel Agbonlahor, whose shot is saved by Artur Boruc and it falls to Benteke. He has an open-goal but somehow puts it over on the volley from 20 yards. Artur Boruc understandably takes his time with the goal-kick and he's booked for time wasting.

OFF THE BAR!

Christian Benteke gets yet another header on target from the back post from yet another Barry Bannan cross. Artur Boruc makes a wonderful save to push the ball around the post and keep the big Belgian out. Nathan Baker meets Barry Bannan's corner with his head and his effort rattles the bar. The won't get much closer than that!

SOUTHAMPTON SUBSTITUTION

There's a lengthy break in play as Luke Shaw is stretchered off after a challenge by Jordan Bowery. Steve De Ridder comes on to replace him.

CLOSE FROM BENTEKE

Barry Bannan floats in another dangerous cross from the left, which is met by Christian Benteke at the back-post and headed back across goal. It could have fallen to anyone, but Artur Boruc gets his hands to it to avert the danger.

SOUTHAMPTON SUBSTITUTION

Jason Puncheon makes way for former Villa player Steven Davis.

BENTEKE COMES CLOSE AGAIN

Villa come very close to equalising through Christian Benteke. He receives the ball on the edge of the box, settles himself, then curls an effort that's just wide of the top corner.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Gaston Ramirez is brought off to be replaced by Daniel Fox for Southampton and Jordan Bowery comes on in place of Ashley Westwood for Villa.

WASTED POSSESSION

Andreas Weimann has a chance to put in a cross from the right wing but it's very poor and far too close to the 'keeper. That's very wasteful from the Austrian.

OFF THE POST!

Jason Puncheon strikes a low, driven shot off the post from 18 yards out after some brilliant passing football from the Saints. Villa urgently need to sort out their defending now.

VILLA LOOKING FRAGILE IN DEFENCE

Villa continue to apply pressure in attack but they're beginning to look fragile in defence as Rickie Lambert makes another break on the counter. That should be another warning sign for Villa not to overcommit in search of an equaliser.

GREAT PASS FROM LAMBERT

Rickie Lambert plays a wonderful ball over the top to Jay Rodriguez who is through on goal. Enda Stevens forces him wide though and he's unable to get a shot away. Rodriguez tries to square the ball to the onrushing Jason Puncheon, but he finds Ciaran Clark instead and the chance comes to nothing.

ASTON VILLA SUBSTITUTION

Charles N'Zogbia is replaced by Gabriel Agbonlahor.

CHANCES FOR VILLA

Paul Lambert has worked wonders at half time and the substitute, Barry Bannan, is at the heart of everything. They create three chances in as many minutes with two crosses from Fabian Delph and one from Charles N'Zogbia. None of them lead to a meaningful effort on target, but they've taken a step in the right direction.

BENTEKE COMES CLOSE

Christian Benteke almost makes up for his earlier miss by getting his head to an Andreas Weimann free-kick from the left. The Belgian's header is on target, however Artur Boruc is equal to it and it's saved.

OPEN GOAL

Enda Stevens latches onto a loose clearance from Morgan Schneiderlin and hits a very powerful shot at goal, which Artur Boruc can only parry. The ball falls to Christian Benteke with an open goal and he somehow manages to put it over the bar. Villa won't get many better chances than that in this game.

WEIMANN CHANCE

Ashley Westwood plays a lovely long ball to Christian Benteke in attack. Morgan Schneiderlin gets a foot in, but the ball only gets as far as Andreas Weimann. He hits his shot straight at Artur Boruc though.

SECOND HALF

We're back underway at Villa Park. Paul Lambert has made one change at the break with Barry Bannan coming on for Brett Holman.

HALF-TIME

After an even start, Southampton have grown in confidence as the half has gone on and they have the lead at the break thanks to a Rickie Lambert penalty. Villa on the other hand have struggled; they're yet to have a shot on goal and will need to dig deep if they want to take anything from this game.

MISSED OPPORTUNITY

A Gaston Ramirez corner is cleared only as far as Jack Cork, who is waiting 30 yards out to volley the ball into orbit. He should probably have taken a touch there.

SAINTS START TO DOMINATE

Southampton look full of confidence since taking the lead and they're in control. Villa on the other hand look deflated and incredibly fragile; half-time can't come soon enough for them.

GOAL!

Rickie Lambert sends Brad Guzan the wrong way and slots the ball calmly to the goalkeeper's left to give Southampton the lead.

PENALTY!

Ricky Lambert goes down under a challenge from Enda Stevens and wins a penalty. The Villa players are convinced it was a dive, but the referee disagrees.

PUNCHEON CHANCE

Jason Puncheon has another shot at goal after dribbling his way into the Villa penalty area. He hits it right-footed and it ends up in the crowd behind the goal. Southampton have looked most likely to score so far.

CHANCES FOR PUNCHEON AND SHAW

Jason Puncheon capitalises on some loose passing in the Villa midfield as he strikes a bouncing ball at goal. The volley is blocked but the Saints win a corner, which eventualy falls to Luke Shaw. He tries a low drive from 25 yards, but it fizzes just past the post.

VILLA ATTACK

Villa look to create something down the left through Brett Holman and Christian Benteke. Holman gives the ball to Benteke, but he takes way too much time to get his cross into the box and it's cleared easily.

RODRIGUEZ CHANCE

Both sets of fans stand and applaud for the full 19th minute in support of Stiliyan Petrov, who is fighting cancer. Meanwhile Matthew Lowton gives the ball away very cheaply in defence and allows Luke Shaw to get a cross in. Jay Rodriguez meets it with his head but it goes wide of the post.

SOUTHAMPTON CHANCE

Jay Rodriguez bursts down the right wing and into the box after receiving a great short-pass from Rickie Lambert in midfield. Rodriguez tries to knock the ball back to Lambert, who is arriving late into the box, but Brad Guzan gets in the way.

LAMBERT FLICK-ON

Rickie Lambert gets his head to a long Artur Boruc goal-kick and almost finds Jay Rodriguez with his flick-on. Ciaran Clark does well to get a foot in though and the ball is cleared.

GOOD RUN FROM SHAW

We've been treated to a very lively opening few minutes and it looks like there are definitely goals in this game. Luke Shaw makes a great run down the left-wing in an effort to relieve the early Villa pressure and is taken down by Charles N'Zogbia. Morgan Schneiderlin wastes the resulting free-kick by floating it straight into the hands of Brad Guzan.

BENTEKE CHANCES

Villa begin to press after their slow start and Christian Benteke gets away the first meaningful shot of the day, but it's deflected wide. Benteke ends up with the ball again at the back-post from the corner, but he blazes it over the bar from 12 yards out.

EARLY SOUTHAMPTON CORNER

It's incredibly quiet here as Southampton win an early corner after a spell of possession. Gaston Ramirez whips it in low, but Nathan Baker gets to it first and hoofs it clear.

KICK-OFF

The referee's whistle blows and we're underway here at Villa Park.

SOUTHAMPTON TEAM NEWS

Artur Boruc will play in goal for the Saints with Nathaniel Clyne, Maya Yoshida, Jos Hooiveld and Luke Shaw in defence. Jay Rodriguez, Jack Cork, Morgan Schneiderlin and Jason Puncheon make up the midfield with Gaston Ramirez starting just behind Rickie Lambert in attack.

ASTON VILLA TEAM NEWS

Brad Guzan starts in goal behind a defence made up of Matthew Lowton, Ciaran Clark, Nathan Baker and Enda Stevens. Brett Holman, Ashley Westwood and Fabian Delph start in midfield and Charles N'Zogbia will play just behind the two strikers: Christian Benteke and Andreas Weimann.

REF WATCH

Chris Foy will take charge of today's game. He has refereed 14 Premier League games so far this season and has shown 22 yellow cards, but he hasn't shown a red card or given a penalty yet.

SOUTHAMPTON EARLY TEAM NEWS

Gaston Ramirez and Nathaniel Clyne are set to return after injury, but Jose Fonte and Adam Lallana are out, while Emmanuel Mayuka is on African Cup of Nations duty with Zambia.

ASTON VILLA EARLY TEAM NEWS

Experienced goalkeeper Shay Given is a doubt due to a calf injury. Darren Bent and Marc Albrighton are also likely to miss out, but Ashley Westwood and Brett Holman are available to play. Ron Vlaar has returned to training this week and could also feature.

ADKINS HUNTING A VALUABLE THREE POINTS

Southampton have drawn their last three games and sit precariously outside the relegation zone on goal difference, but things are looking up after a disappointing start to the season; they've lost only twice in their last ten games. Today's game will be viewed as a must win by Nigel Adkins with a string of tough fixtures coming up; a win will go a long way to helping them secure safety.

VILLA DESPERATE TO TURN THINGS AROUND

After a woeful run of form over Christmas and an embarrassing midweek defeat to Bradford City, Paul Lambert will be desperate for a win today. Patching up the defence will be a big priority for his young side, who have conceded 17 goals in their last four games, but they've also only scored twice in that time.

MATCH PREVIEW

Today's game sees two sides sitting just outside the relegation zone go head to head in a fixture which could define their fortunes come the end of the season. Southampton won the previous fixture this season at St Mary's 4-1 to announce their arrival in the Premier League, but both teams have struggled for form recently, so this game could go either way.