The result saw Unai Emery’s team record back-to-back league victories for the first time since September and they now sit just two points outside the top-four.
But while repeating last year’s feat of qualifying for the Champions League remains the long-term aim, Carlos says players are now in the mindset of taking it one match at a time after a frustrating eight-game winless run prior to last week’s 3-1 victory over Brentford.
“This isn’t the moment to look at the table because every game is so difficult,” he said. “We have had good moments and put in good performances the last two games, the 3-1 against Brentford was very good and the clean sheet today which was important for the team.
“The expectation is the Premier League is so difficult and the points gap between teams is so close, with teams on 25 points, 23 points.
“You can’t look at the table after every game, there are still a lot of points to play for. We have to look at the next game, not the table.”
Saturday’s clean sheet was just Villa’s second in the Premier League since April. Carlos, recalled to the starting line-up for the first time since last month’s 0-0 Champions League draw against Juventus, also had a hand in the game’s only goal when his long pass upfield led to Jhon Duran netting for the ninth time this season.
Duran was given his first Premier League start of the campaign by boss Emery and Carlos believes the Colombia international is a good target man.
He said: “This team (Southampton) had a good press when they tried to get you one against one.
“I sometimes look for our strikers in that situation because we have Jhon Duran and Ollie Watkins, who are good players. They are strong and fast players, and clever in beating their defenders one against one. I train against them a lot and it is difficult so I know how fast and strong they are.”
On the clean sheet, he added: “In the Premier League, we play against very good strikers, very good players who are capable of scoring.
“On Saturday we have a clean sheet and defended well, all the players. Recovering the ball. Sometimes when you are winning one-zero, it is the best game to defend.”