03 November 2021, 16:33 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
After handing Claudio Ranieri a miserable third day in office with a 1-0 defeat over the Hornets, the Saints return, looking for three more points in their quest to charge up the Premier League table. This Premier League fixture, Southampton F.C. vs. Aston Villa, slated for 21:00 (GMT+1) on Friday, November 5, at St. Mary’s Stadium, marks the first day of Matchweek 11. Referee Andy Madley will have the whistle to his lips and be the first man to officially handle the new Hi-Vis Premier League Nike Flight Match ball which makes its debut on Friday. The 2021/22 EPL winter ball features a comic-book design with optimized colors.
Preview Southampton Premier League, Nov 5, 2021
Preview The fabulous goal by Che Adams (20’) was enough to see the Saints pick up three points on Matchday 10, and move two spots up the Premier League table to 14th place, having returned to winning ways: LLWDW. Those three valuable points leaves Southampton with 11 after 2W, 5D, & 3L. A focus on the numbers shows the Saints have a goal ratio of 0.9 goals per game, so far this season, having scored 9 goals in 10 Premier League games. However, they are being undone by the defense. An average of 1.2 goals conceded per game leaves Southampton with 12 goals conceded and a goal difference of -3. Last weekend, Hasenhüttl received a boost with the return of the skipper, James Ward-Prowse to the squad after serving a three-match ban for his red card at Chelsea. He'll be available again this Friday when Ralph Hasenhüttl deploys the same 4—4—2 formation that earned him three points against Watford. Southampton have no new injury worries as they head into Matchday 11.
Preview Aston Villa Premier League, Nov 5, 2021
Preview Villa, however, were on the end of a disappointing 4-1 loss to West Ham last weekend. Reduced to ten, five minutes into the second half following a red card to Ezri Konsa (R. 50’), a numerically disadvantaged Villa let in two more goals, after two, to eventually leave Ollie Watkins (34’) with the consolation. Being in 13th place before the game, the Lions slipped two spots lower to 15th place on the Premier League table after their fourth consecutive defeat in five games: WLLLL. Villa now has 10 points from 3W, 1D, & 6L. The Claret & Blue Army must reverse the downward trend with an improvement on the numbers on both ends of the pitch. And on Friday, Dean Smith will attempt to do so when he lays out the 4—3—3 with Watkins at the heart of the attack. Ings was left out of the squad which faced West Ham last weekend and remains in doubt for this fixture on Friday. Meanwhile, Konsa is suspended following the red card he received in the game against the Hammers.