Philippe Coutinho starred as Aston Villa thrashed Southampton 4-0 to earn their first home win of 2022 in the Premier League on Saturday.
Ollie Watkins put the home side in front after nine minutes, and Douglas Luiz added a second before the break.
Two quick-fire goals from Coutinho and Danny Ings early in the second half sealed the visitors fate.
The result moves Villa up one place to 11th after back-to-back wins. Southampton remain in ninth, as their seven game unbeaten run comes to an end in the Midlands.
The away side made a bright start to the game and controlled possession early on.
However, it was Villa who made the breakthrough. Ings found Watkins in the area, who turned Jack Stephens impressively and fired past Fraser Forster into the top right corner.
The Saints first attempt of the match came after 16 minutes when Stuart Armstrong’s curling left footed effort sailed inches wide of the target, after Tyrone Mings was dispossessed by Armando Broja.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men then began to control proceedings, but offered little threat to the Villa goal. Watkins should’ve had his second after some clever play with Coutinho, however his close range effort was smothered well by Forster.
Che Adams had a golden chance to level the scoring moments later, when Tino Livramento’s cross found him in the six yard area. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was relieved to see Adams’ effort drop narrowly onto the roof of the net.
Villa then began to threaten again, with Coutinho looking the most likely to create a second goal.
It was 2-0 on the 44 minute mark. A brilliant outside of the foot pass from Callum Chambers found Coutinho, who cushioned the ball across goal for Luiz to tap home and give Steven Gerrard’s side a commanding lead at the break.
Just seven minutes into the second half, Coutinho netted the hosts third goal. The ball broke in the Saints penalty area after some tenacious work from John McGinn, and the Brazilian collected the ball and fired low through Forster’s legs.
It was 4-0 moments later. Matty Cash reached the touchline and pulled a cross back to Ings, who slotted home neatly against his former club.
The visitors then began to push forward in search of an unthinkable comeback. Adams saw his effort denied before Ashley Young cleared Jan Bednarek’s header off the line.
Gerrard’s side were content to let the Southerners control possession and try and add a fifth on the counter-attack, as the match was as good as over.
The home side’s tactic almost came good, when a long ball from Luiz caused confusion in the visitors backline. An under-hit backpass from Bednarek was chased down by Watkins, who just couldn’t make up the yards and caught Forster late after the goalkeeper had cleared the ball. The striker saw a yellow card for his troubles.
The game continued to be played in a competitive fashion despite the emphatic scoreline, as both teams looked likely add to the scoring.
Despite some good opportunities late on, the one sided scoreline meant the game eventually petered out. A comfortable home victory for the Villans.
Joe Dixon Journalism 