2019/20 Premier League
Round 18
21-22 December 2019
Aston Villa will target a key victory over Southampton when the teams meet in a
Premier League clash at Villa Park on Saturday 21 December 2019, kick-off at 17:00.
The match is one of nine spread over 21-22 December in the 18
th round of the current Premier League season, with Liverpool’s match away to West Ham United postponed due to the former’s participation in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Villa’s last home brought a disappointing 4-1 defeat at the hands of Leicester City, with the gulf in class between the Birmingham side and one of the Premier League’s top teams made clear for all to see. The Lions will be desperate to get back to winning ways on home soil and turn Villa Park into a reliable source of points, as they look to consolidate their place in the top flight of English football.
“I just feel, defensively, our structure should be better. Individually, our defending has to be a little bit better,” said manager Dean Smith.
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Southampton’s winless run away from home was extended to five Premier League matches when they succumbed 2-1 at Newcastle United earlier in the month. The Saints need to start adding some points on the road to their tally if they are to have a chance of avoiding a drop to the second tier.
Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl will need captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to continue the fine form he has shown of late: “He shows he is a leading player by giving the perfect performance, and this is an important thing,” said the Austrian tactician.
In head-to-head stats, Villa and Southampton have met in 63 previous matches. The Saints have claimed 23 wins compared to 22 for the Lions, while 18 games have been drawn.
The teams last met in the Premier League in the 2015/16 season, playing to a 1-1 draw at St Mary’s Stadium before Southampton claimed a 4-2 win at Villa Park in the return game. The Lions have not claimed a win over the Saints since December 2013.
Aston Villa v Southampton – Head-to-Head
Matches played 63
Villa wins 22
Southampton wins 23
Draws 18
Premier League fixtures, 21-22 December
Saturday 21 December
West Ham United v Liverpool – Postponed
14:30: Everton v Arsenal
17:00: Bournemouth v Burnley
17:00: Aston Villa v Southampton
17:00: Brighton & Hove Albion v Sheffield United
17:00: Newcastle United v Crystal Palace
17:00: Norwich City v Wolverhampton Wanderers
19:30: Manchester City v Leicester City
Sunday 22 December
16:00: Watford v Manchester United
18:30: Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea
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