Aston Villa have got that winning feeling back.
On Wednesday night, Villa ended their eight-game winless run against Brentford and they backed it up by beating Southampton days later.
Unai Emery made several changes for the visit of Russell Martin’s Southampton, who are sitting bottom of the Premier League table and have conceded the most errors that have led to goals this season (12).
Surprise, surprise, Aston Villa forced their struggling opponents into just that on Saturday afternoon, with Jhon Duran benefiting, bulldozing his way past two defenders and then dinking the ball over the on-rushing Saints keeper.
Duran’s goal proved to be the winner, and in truth, it should have been more because Villa missed countless number of chances to score.
Southampton should have no complaints because they only had four efforts on goal and zero on target during the 90 minutes.
But Duran’s goal was analysed by the opposing manager, and in typical fashion, he did it by raising a few eyebrows.
What Russell Martin said about Jhon Duran’s goal for Aston Villa against Southampton
Emery started Duran instead of Ollie Watkins and the rising Villa star didn’t let his manager down by scoring his ninth goal in all competitions this season.
What’s interesting here is that it’s the Colombian star’s fourth winning goal this season and Martin explained how Villa’s pressing forced his goalkeeper – Joe Lumley – to ‘kick it long’, and from there, they were punished.
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That was a fair analysis from the Southampton manager, but he then proceeded to mention how Lumley booting the ball down the pitch ‘gets a cheer from our supporters’ and then his side conceded.
This relates to a lot of talk around Southampton playing out from the back too much and how it is costing them, with many, including their own supporters, wanting their manager to change.
Aston Villa's Columbian striker #09 Jhon Duran scores the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Southam...
Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images
“We played out and got pressed just before that, so then it makes Joe kick it long, and it gets a cheer from our supporters,” Martin told BBC Sport. “We concede within 10 seconds. Yeah. It is what it is.”
Martin does his best Steven Gerrard impression
Steven Gerrard’s reign as Villa manager was disastrous and fans are glad that he is no longer in the dugout.
But he made comments that riled up the Villa fans, at the time – go back to his comments before facing Graham Potter’s Chelsea on home soil.
Gerrard told Sky Sports in 2022 that ‘Chelsea should be coming to Villa Park and wiping the floor with us’ and it didn’t go down well.
And Martin, who has a better relationship with the Southampton fans because he got them promotion to the Premier League last season, has now done the same with his supporters.
Looking back in the comments section of Southampton Centre’s Twitter account, many are slamming their manager for having a ‘dig’ at the fans and others reminded him about the long journey they made to the Midlands.
The Saints faithful rightfully pointed out the difficult weather conditions across the UK over the weekend and how the fans deserve better.
There was a similar reaction in the comments section of Saints Extra’s Twitter account, with some pointing out Martin ‘doesn’t do himself any favours’ and now he has made ‘Nathan Jones esq comment’.
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