Aston Villa Edges Southampton 1-0

Aston Villa secured a 1-0 victory over Southampton, with Jhon Duran scoring the only goal in the 24th minute during his first Premier League start of the season. This win marked Villa's second consecutive triumph, lifting them to fifth place in the league, just two points shy of the top four. Southampton, who remain at the bottom with only five points, failed to register a shot on target, continuing their struggle with a 15-match winless streak on the road. Villa's defensive efforts resulted in only their second clean sheet in 20 league games, showcasing a significant improvement under Unai Emery. Despite the win, Villa's Leon Bailey left the match injured, raising concerns ahead of their upcoming UEFA Champions League fixture. The visitors' lack of quality in attack was evident, as they could not capitalize on their possession, ultimately paying the price for missed chances.