A moment of Jack Grealish’s genius teed up Ross Barkley to score the game’s only goal as Aston Villa won 1-0 away against Southampton.
The visitors had to suffer an early attack from Southampton and when Matthew Cash appeared to handle the ball in the net. They however were fortunate not be given a penalty, as VAR analysis ruled the touch accidental. Barkley gave Villa the lead against the run of play in the 41st minute. He arrived into the box unmarked to head Grealish’s brilliant first-time cross past Southampton keeper Alex McCarthy.
Southampton struggled once again in attack after scoring two goals in their previous six league games. Thanks in no small part to a good defensive effort by Villa. They created plenty of chances but failed to get many of them on goal.
When striker Theo Walcott limped off in the 65th minute with what seemed to be a hamstring injury, the evening went from bad to worse for the Saints. The home side thought they had grabbed a point in injury time, but after another VAR analysis that showed him to be offside by the slimest of margins, Danny Ings’ late effort was ruled out.
The defeat leaves Southampton in 11th place on 29 points, while Villa recorded their second win in three league games to rise above Chelsea and Arsenal on 32 points.
