Unavailable
– Southampton: Forster, Gardoş, Rodriguez
Aston Villa: Grealish, Clark, Ilori,
Crespo, Gardner, Amavi
As Southampton and Aston Villa enter St Mary’s
to the sound of somewhat bog-standard Premier League song, both sets of players
will feel the pressure beginning to heave down on their shoulders. Villa may
well want to savour the moments when they hear that tune, as it seems likely
that they will be playing Championship football next season. Yet, despite the
fact that they are marooned at the bottom of the current standings, the
opportunity to avoid Channel 5 highlights is still there for the Villains to
grab. Rémi Garde will inevitably tinker with his squad in January, however he currently
has to mould what was handed to him by his predecessor, Tim Sherwood.
As I expressed prior to when the Birmingham
side came to St Mary’s last month, Garde has players who have real quality in
his midfield and attack – it is just a matter of how to unearth this, and bring
it to the fore for all to see. For example, Jordan Veretout was an exciting
addition from Nantes. The Frenchman has the ability to send an incisive pass
towards the opposition’s backline, but is also temperate and level headed when
necessary. There has not been a great deal of evidence of this in Premier
League matches though. Meanwhile, the recruitment of winger Adama Traoré from
Barcelona was regarded as a coup, however his pace and trickery has flattered
to deceive.
Throw in the Jack Grealish saga and a defence
that often resembles a lacerated umbrella, and you realise the size of the task
that faces Garde. The former Arsenal midfielder has thicker shoulders and a
sharper mind than he has been credited with in his opening month at the club. In
his time at Lyon, he had to cost cut, and develop the side while managing the
expectations of fans who had become accustomed to seeing a winning team after the
club won seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles. Nevertheless, the Frenchman secured
a League Cup and a Europa League quarter-final. He is a man who can overcome
pressure to produce objective results.
Surely, the Villa boss would be content with
a point today, although they will remain rooted to the trapdoor which is
starting to creep open. Southampton will also desire a victory, after three
consecutive losses have once again left questions over the team – particular
mention has been reserved for the defence though. While Steven Caulker should
not be the scapegoat for the Liverpool butchering as others were also at fault,
his display suggested a worrying lack of class to replace José Fonte when he is
not fit to lead his side. The England international was woeful in his
positioning, allowing Daniel Sturridge et al to run off him while admiring the
flight of the ball.
The Portuguese will return on Saturday, and
Ronald Koeman has suggested that a more moderate approach will enable his team to
succeed. Yet, the Dutchman will have to remember that a quick start on the
offence should give the hosts the platform to dominate the match.
Key
Battles
Stekelenburg
v Gestede: Maarten
Stekelenburg has never previously featured in this section of the preview,
because evidently he rarely has a genuine battle with a player, however this
may be different today. It is possible that Rudy Gestede will line up for the
visitors, and the ‘keeper will have to be brave in aerial duels against the
tall striker whose heading ability is unsurpassed in the Premier League. With
the right service, he will tower above the centre-backs, and the Dutch stopper
will need to judge the opportune moment to claim the ball if necessary. The
French striker’s game has improved enormously over the last few years, and he
was also the beneficiary of training techniques from sprinter Darren Campbell
during his time at Cardiff – no doubt aiding him to significantly better his
running style.
Tadić v
Hutton: If
kept on the left, the Serbian should be able to trouble Alan Hutton throughout
the afternoon. The winger was one the few players who enjoyed a vaguely
productive evening on Wednesday, while the Scottish right-back has consistently
struggled alongside his defensive teammates at Villa. He is offensively strong and
physically powerful though, therefore Saints’ No 11 will have to deny him the
space to run into.
Possible
Line-ups
Southampton:
Stekelenburg
– Yoshida, Fonte (C), Van Dijk, Bertrand – Romeu, Wanyama – Mané, S. Davis, Tadić
– Pellè
K. Davis, Soares, Clasie, Long, Ward-Prowse,
Juanmi, Caulker
Aston Villa:
Guzan
– Hutton, Okore, Lescott, Richardson – Veretout, Sánchez, Gueye – Agbonlahor (C),
Ayew – Gestede
Bunn, Bacuna, Sinclair, Westwood, Traoré,
Gil, Kinsella
Also below, I have linked my tactical
analysis of the Liverpool game for the Independent’s website:
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/southampton-1-liverpool-6-analysis-ronald-koeman-tactically-unsure-after-liverpool-capitulation-a6759441.html
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