IN IT.. MY PLAYERS NEED TO GET THE MESSAGE

produce a catalogue of errors that allowed Ings to make it seven goals from his last seven outings.

Villa got what they deserved. Another superb late volleyed goal from Jack Grealish wasn’t sufficient to even make a game of it and to make matters worse influential midfielder John Mcginn was taken to hospital for an X-ray on his ankle.

The hosts were three goals adrift within five minutes of the second half starting. Never mind beating Liverpool’s kids in the Carabao Cup, this was a big boys’ game and Villa remained stuck in the playground.

Smith said: “The players know where we’re at. They should get the message. They read social media and the press.

“They have got to prove to everyone they are Premier League players. We have to make sure we are more responsible in our performances.”

Smith was scathing in his assessment of Villa’s defensive frailties. With just one win in nine, he had every right to be.

He added: “We lost John Mcginn early then we lose a soft goal with a ball over the top.

“Then we conceded an even softer goal from a corner. Anwar El Ghazi is marking their centrehalf and he shouldn’t have been. That was John’s job.

“And, for the third,

it’s ricocheted off Marvelous Nakamba. Players have to take responsibility. As do I. We have conceded seven goals in two home games.”

Long somehow ended the game goalless but could have wrapped up a hat-trick in the opening half hour. Still, he raced clear of Bjorn Engels after 21 minutes and Villa keeper Tom Heaton could only parry his shot into Ings’s path.

Saints went further clear when Jack Stephens glanced home James Ward-prowse’s corner before Ings was gifted the chance to swivel and fire home.

Hasenhuttl was delighted with the attacking threat of Ings. He said: “He’s absolutely outrageous at the moment and a clinical finisher. He’s full of confidence.

“He’s always there where the balls come. The second goal was fantastic with his left foot. He hit the post twice in the last game.

“It was a deserved win for us. It gives us a little lift.”