MX23RW : Monday, December 23 16:39:38| >> :120:7199:7199:
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Southampton logo
Premier League
Dec 4, 2013 at 7.45pm UK
 
Aston Villa logo

2-3

Rodriguez (48'), Osvaldo (69')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Agbonlahor (15'), Kozak (64'), Delph (80')

Preview: Southampton vs. Aston Villa

Sports Mole peers ahead to Wednesday night's Premier League match at St Mary's between Southampton and Aston Villa.

Southampton return home to face Aston Villa on Wednesday night after difficult trips to the Premier League's top two clubs.

Mauricio Pochettino's side surrendered an early lead at Chelsea yesterday to follow up last week's defeat at Arsenal.

Despite the pair of losses, the Saints are still within two points of the top four and now host a Villa side unbeaten in four games.

Pochettino is likely to bring Rickie Lambert, who scored in both games against Villa last season, back into the starting lineup after Pablo Osvaldo's ineffectual performance at Chelsea.

Goalkeeper Artur Boruc has been ruled out for six weeks with a broken hand, with Paulo Gazzaniga set to be given the gloves.

Paul Lambert, meanwhile, will probably stick with the same Villa starting XI that limped to a goalless draw against Sunderland.

Christian Benteke's recent goal drought has led to suggestions that he may be dropped and if Lambert does make a bold move, Libor Kozak is the most likely replacement up top.

Recent form

Southampton: LLWDWD
Villa: DDWDLL

Possible starting lineups:

Southampton: Boruc; Clyne, Fonte, Lovren, Shaw; Wanyama, Schneiderlin; Ward-Prowse, Lallana, Rodriguez; Lambert

Villa: Guzan; Bacuna, Vlaar, Clark, Luna; Delph, Westwood, El Ahmadi; Agbonlahor, Benteke, Weimann

Sports Mole says: 1-1


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Written by
Pascal Lemesre
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Southampton goalkeeper Artur Boruc in action against Norwich during their Premier League match on August 31, 2013
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