Ramsey rushes to Gerrard’s rescue
Villa boss breathing easier after Jacob sinks Saints
WRITING in the programme, Steven Gerrard had challenged his players to produce a performance to make Aston Villa supporter Prince William proud.
And as the Premier League returned to action for the first time since the death of the Queen, Gerrard’s men gave the Prince of Wales the chance to celebrate a victory.
It was not a classic performance, but Jacob Ramsey’s goal shortly before half-time was enough to ensure Villa squeezed past Southampton and claimed only their second win in the league this season.
Had Villa lost this one, Gerrard might have felt a little jittery heading into the international break. Yet though this game will not live long in the memory, Villa at least looked more solid than in recent weeks. This was their first clean sheet in 12 attempts, while Saints have now gone 13 without a shutout.
Before kick- off, there was a fitting tribute to Her Majesty. The players stood around the centre circle and observed a minute’s silence, before English soprano Laura Wright led a rendition of God Save the King.
With the lights dimmed, supporters created a spectacular effect by switching on the torches of their phones. When the action began, Gerrard’s big call seemed to be paying off, with Philippe Coutinho looking bright on the left of the attack. Skipper John McGinn also looked right up for the challenge, crunching into tackles early on.
Gerrard had called for his team to build on their 1-1 draw with Manchester City a fortnight ago yet after an encouraging start, they lost their way a little.
Moussa Djenepo roared past Lucas Digne on the right and Ezri Konsa produced a fine defensive header to concede a corner. Shortly before the half-hour, Konsa was again decisive when he cut out Che Adams’ low cross.
Villa grew back into the game after that, with Coutinho trying to pull the strings. The Brazilian’s delightful turn left James WardProwse baffled and his drive from 20 yards was only just off target.
Four minutes before the break, Ashley Young’s cross somehow reached Coutinho at the far post, only for Gavin Bazunu to turn it behind. When the corner was cleared to Coutinho, Ollie Watkins met the cross and though Bazunu pushed it on to the bar, the ball bounced off Mohammed Salisu and fell perfectly for Ramsey. His close-range volley went in via the underside of the bar and was upheld after a brief VAR check.
Villa were forced into a change shortly before the break when Douglas Luiz replaced the injured Boubacar Kamara. The midfielder nearly made it three goals from corners this term but his dipping effort was flicked over.
Gerrard was pacing his technical area and could not settle. When Konsa misplaced a simple pass to Young and the ball drifted out of play, the Villa boss could not hide his fury as he leapt in the air and returned to his seat, arms folded.
Saints made a double change at the break with Juan Larios and
Joe Aribo on for Romain Perraud and Ibrahima Diallo, and both made lively starts.
Tyrone Mings had a fine game at the back and was making a nuisance of himself in the Saints box, too, winning a header and laying the ball off for Ramsey, whose shot lost its sting after hitting a defender. In the 70th minute, the ground rose and applauded in recognition of the Queen’s 70 years’ service.
Villa took off Coutinho with six minutes left and also gave a debut to midfield signing Leander Dendoncker. Despite Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl using all five substitutes, his team could not find a way back into the game. ASTON VILLA (4-3-2-1): Martinez 6; Young 6.5, Konsa 7, MINGS 7.5, Digne 6; Ramsey 6.5 (Dendoncker 67min, 6), Kamara 6.5 (Luiz 44, 7), McGinn 6.5; Bailey 6 (Buendia 67, 6), Coutinho 7 (Ings 84); Watkins 6.5. Scorer: Ramsey 41.
Booked: Coutinho, Ramsey, Young. Manager: Steven Gerrard 7. SOUTHAMPTON (4-2-3-1): Bazunu 7; Walker-Peters 6, Bella-Kotchap 7, Salisu 6.5, Perraud 6 (Aribo 46, 6.5); Ward-Prowse 6, Diallo 5.5 (Larios 46, 6); Djenepo 7, Elyounoussi 6 (Edozie 79), A Armstrong 5.5 (S Armstrong 71, 6); Adams 6 (Mara 71, 6). Booked: Ward-Prowse.
Manager: Ralph Hasenhuttl 6.
Referee: Tony Harrington 6.
Attendance: 40,758.