Hasenhüttl promises positive reaction
Ralph Hasenhüttl is determined to show that last weekend's hefty defeat to Aston Villa was only a blip on the charge to finish in the top half of the Premier League table this season.
Saints were comfortably beaten at Villa Park, but the boss is confident his side will not be caught off-guard again by this week's opponents, as St Mary's prepares to host both Newcastle United and Watford.
Hasenhüttl is prepared for, and expecting of, an aggressive encounter on Thursday evening, but is certain Saints will more than match their counterparts' intensity, and show a reaction from a costly performance against Villa.
"I think we have been a little bit surprised," the manager conceded. "How they [Aston Villa] kicked us, how aggressive they have been. Stopped us from playing football.
"I think the respect was a high one, for our team, but in the end we have been a little bit surprised. I can guarantee you that this will not happen again.
"Normally we are known as a team that can also play aggressive. We play this time at home. And this time we will have a very similar challenge. A team that plays very similar to Villa. We will not be surprised again, that's for sure.
"We are also better than two months ago; so ready for the challenge. We have our crowd behind us, we have a good atmosphere in our stadium and a good run there.
"We are going here with all the belief - you can be sure that we will show a reaction from the Saturday game."
