What Ezri Konsa did to Cameron Archer as Ollie Watkins gives perfect response to PSG snub
BirminghamLive brings you the talking points from Aston Villa's win at Southampton
Our dedicated Aston Villa reporter is always on the pulse of all things claret and blue, from major talking points to transfer news to match action, John Townley will bring you the very latest from Bodymoor Heath and Villa Park.
Aston Villa strengthened their bid for Champions League qualification on Saturday afternoon with a 3-0 win over Southampton at St. Mary’s.
Ollie Watkins broke the deadlock just after the hour mark, before Donyell Malen doubled the lead and John McGinn added a third - his first league goal of the season.
The Scot pounced on a rebound after Marco Asensio had a second penalty saved by Aaron Ramsdale.
The victory moves Villa to within just three points of third-placed Nottingham Forest, who were beaten 1–0 by Everton at the City Ground.
Here are the key talking points from Villa’s victory...
Villa eventually stir to victory
When Asensio’s first penalty was saved by Ramsdale, Villa’s travelling supporters might’ve feared it wasn’t going to be their day.
But they stayed vocal, particularly in their support of Watkins, who had just come on and won the penalty.
Shortly after Ramsdale's penalty save, Watkins latched onto Youri Tielemans’ lofted pass and finished smartly as the ball bounced over line after hitting the bar.
Aside from an early moment when Marcus Rashford was picked out by Tielemans, Villa rarely got in behind the hosts or posed much threat before Watkins' goal.
Frustration crept in towards the end of the first half as Saints began to settle into the match.
Former Villa forward Cameron Archer wasn’t tasked with aggressive pressing by Simon Rusk, but just before half-time he barged into Ezri Konsa, who had played the ball across the box to Tyrone Mings.
Annoyed, Konsa pulled his former teammate’s shorts back, which stirred the home crowd, but that was about as nasty as Southampton got with Villa, who were clearly levels above their already-relegated counterparts.
“We respect them [Southampton],” Emery said after full-time. “In the first half we didn’t concede transitions. We dominated, but didn’t have many chances.
"The second half the game plan was the same—with the fast players we could push more, and we did. It was a fantastic 90 minutes.”
Subs steal the show
Villa became the first team in Premier League history to have three substitutes score in one match, as Malen and McGinn extended the lead after Watkins' crucial opener.
Malen has now scored three goals in as many league appearances—remarkably in under 90 minutes of total pitch time.
He's proving lethal when cutting inside from the right, shifting the ball across his body and firing past the 'keeper.
He was unlucky not to start against Southampton, but he continues to make an impact off the bench—pushing hard to earn a regular starting spot.
Youri Tielemans had to bide his time last season, while Leon Bailey emerged as a player-of-the-season contender after initially being used primarily as an impact sub under Emery last term.
“The subs had a very good impact,” Emery said. “We had some moments this season with injuries where we lacked consistent 90-minute performances. We strengthened in January with four players—and the result is we’re now more competitive.”
As for Watkins, he gave the perfect response after starting from the bench in successive games having also facing the disappointment of not playing from the off at Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night.
"They (Southampton) had a lot of men behind the ball in the first half and it was difficult to break down," the striker explained. "It was about being patient and once we got that first one the chances started coming more frequently."
Asked what Emery told him, Watkins said: "Just to go on as a sub to bring energy and make a difference when you come on. All three of us did that - we all scored! - but it's about the three points.
"I think that's a very important goal for a start [first one]. Like I said a lot of teams battling for a top four finish but sometimes you need that bit of luck and a bit of magic.
"It was nice to see that one go in and that's one of my favourites to be honest."
Asensio's penalty woes
It was an afternoon to forget for Asensio, who became only the fourth player in Premier League history to miss two penalties in a single match.
He stepped up again after his first miss, likely hoping to redeem himself—despite Watkins having the chance to match Gabby Agbonlahor as Villa’s top scorer in the Premier League era.
Asensio had taken just two penalties during his time at Real Madrid, scoring one and missing the other. With a successful effort against Club Brugge in Europe followed by two misses on Saturday, he’s now missed more penalties than he’s scored at club level.
Rashford is Villa’s first-choice penalty taker, but he had already been subbed off and replaced by Watkins before the second spot-kick.
Since Rashford and Asensio both made their league debuts for Villa on February 15, no team has earned more Premier League points (17)—though Liverpool could surpass that if they beat West Ham on Sunday.
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