Aston Villa fans demand Morgan Sanson explanation as midfielder missed Southampton clash
Aston Villa faced Southampton at St. Mary's this evening
Aston Villa were in search of their first Premier League win since September as they faced Southampton at St. Mary's this evening.
Dean Smith made three changes from the team which lost 4-1 to West Ham last weekend as Tyrone Mings returned to the starting XI after being dropped.
Axel Tuanzebe and Anwar El Ghazi also returned after seeing limited minutes on the pitch so far this season.
Full-backs Matty Cash and Matt Targett flanked Mings and Tuanzebe in front of Martinez, who claimed ahead of tonight's Premier League clash that Villa were treating the game 'like a cup final'.
John McGinn and Marvelous Nakamba sat behind an attacking trio of Leon Bailey, Emiliano Buendia, and Anwar El Ghazi, as Ollie Watkins led the line.
Aston Villa XI vs Southampton (4-2-3-1) Martinez; Cash, Tuanzebe, Mings, Targett; McGinn, Nakamba; Bailey, Buendia, El Ghazi; Watkins.
Here's what Villa fans said about Smith's starting XI.
@ pkaza_84 : Sanson is available and doesn't get picked on the bench full of kids?
@ NathanDawe : DEAN SMITHS CLARET & BLUE ARMY
@ Tommi_3032 : So happy for Anwar. Hardly ever puts a fit wrong yet is always our whipping boy & first to be dropped. At least we now have our two top scorers from last season in our line up tomorrow. Just need to keep a clean sheet now. UTV
@ avfc_K1eran : No Sanson?
@ Sjayavfc : Sanson didn’t make the bench?
@ lewis16998656 : Carney needs to start imo
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@ hubs1990 : I don’t mind that really! El Ghazi goes missing from time to time but let’s hope he turns up tonight, If we get him and Bailey put in the hard work we could have a great game. Let’s move forward. DeanSmithsClaretAndBlueArmy ;)
@ 2ndCitySaint90 : Happy to see El Ghazi back in starting line up. I wouldn't have dropped Hause. I like Chukwuemeka, Bidace & Archer. As long as we don't get injuries I would like to see all 3 feature from the bench 2night.
@ TB_AVFC : Sanson is our version of Donny Van De Beek
@ Ashleyelec_1993 : Sanson is a Europe level player and has proved it for Marseille, the bloke hasn't been able to catch a break with injuries and now he's fit he's been left out the squad?!