London: Adam Armstrong’s early goal helped Southampton continue their Premier League revival as they inflicted a fifth defeat in a row on Aston Villa.Dean Smith’s side are short on confidence and got off to a disastrous start with Matt Cash failing to clear a long ball and Armstrong smashing in a sensational first-time effort from 20 yards.
Villa were a mess in the first half and Southampton could have led by several goals at the break, while the visitors’ Anwar el Ghazi was lucky to avoid a second booking for a blatant dive.
But Villa looked like a new side in the second half with El Ghazi and Emiliano Buendia going close.
They also had a strong penalty appeal turned down when Oriol Romeu pulled Tyrone Mings’ shirt, but they could not find a leveller and the pressure increases on Smith.
Asked if he will be given time to turn round Villa’s form, he said: I have no idea.
I have never had any control over that so I never worry about it. I always concentrate on my job day to day and continue to do that.
I am very confident if given time that we will turn it around with the squad we have got, and the players we have got coming back [from injury].