B Team Preview: Saints vs Aston Villa

Saints vs Aston Villa

Premier League 2

Snows Stadium

Sunday 31st October, 2pm GMT

Saints made it three unbeaten and back-to-back wins on Monday night with a narrow but dominant victory over Reading at Madjeski Stadium.

Despite having a wealth of chances it took until the 55th minute for Dave Horseman’s side to make the breakthrough, courtesy of Dom Ballard’s solo run.

The points were secured in part also to stubborn back line, who have now only conceded once in 270 minutes of football.

Villa have enjoyed a strong start to the season on the back of winning the 2021 FA Youth Cup against Liverpool in May.

However the Villains suffered just their second defeat of the season last-time-out, Bill Harris’ hat-trick securing a 3-2 win for visiting Sunderland at Aston Villa’s training ground.

After securing back-to-back Premier League 2 wins on Monday, Saints will be in a confident mood upon their return to Snows Stadium this weekend.

Against a strong Villa side the team will need their home backing if they were to continue their impressive surge in recent weeks.

Tickets are available for this Sunday’s clash priced as follows:

You can purchase tickets using the link below, we advise you claim your ticket ahead of matchday:

Parking is not available at Snows Stadium, however is instead obtainable at nearby Calmore Industrial Park (approximately three minute walk from the ground).

LAST MEETING

Saints last faced Aston Villa during their Premier League 2 Division 2 play-off push of 2018/19.

In front of 623 fans at St Mary’s Stadium the hosts took an early lead through Will Smallbone inside ten minutes.

With the likes of Oludare Olufunwa, Will Ferry and Dan Nlunudlu all involved the Saints pushed for a second which would seal their place in the PL2 play-off final.

This second came via a stunning Tom O’Connor free kick late in the second half, which set up a final against Newcastle United the week after.

MANAGER’S NOTES

“Obviously they won the FA Youth Cup at a canter last year,” said Horseman on Sunday’s opponents. “I think they’ve got some outstanding players.

“It’s probably a good time to have this test because we’re playing quite well, we’ve won our last couple of games.

“Let’s see if our best players can step up against their best ones. We know they’re probably the most talented in the league.

“They’ve spent their money really well and developed a few through the system really well, it’s going to be a tough game against some really good footballers.”