Premier League: Southampton 4 Aston Villa 1
23 September 2012
Southampton recorded their first win of the Premier League season by coming from behind to beat Aston Villa 4-1 at St Mary's on Saturday.
Despite a good first 20 minutes from the home side, Paul Lambert's men capitalised on yet more poor defending by Saints to take the lead through Darren Bent in the first-half.
After nearly conceding again just after the break, the hosts pulled level through Rickie Lambert, before strikes from full-back Nathaniel Clyne, winger Jason Puncheon and a second from the spot for Lambert secured the three points.
The hosts made the brighter start, with Lambert wasting a good opening after Adam Lallana played the striker in on the left-flank. Steven Davis and Gaston Ramirez also saw long-range efforts miss the target in the first 20 minutes, as Saints' front men continued to link up dangerously.
The home side then took their foot off the gas somewhat as some sloppy passing allowed Villa to get into the match. Jose Fonte was called into action as he made a perfectly timed sliding tackle to deny Bent a clear chance on goal, before the centre-half again dived in to block Eric Lichaj's cross.
The visiting side went close minutes later as Barry Bannan flashed a first-time volley just wide after Stephen Ireland's cross, another wake-up call for the south coast side who continued to give away the ball too easily.
With 35 minutes gone, Villa came forward again and this time took the lead. The hosts' defence twice failed to clear the danger, allowing Ireland to volley the ball back into the box and Bent to poke home Christian Benteke's knock-down.
Saints failed to hit back before the break, with the tide turning in Villa's favour, something which continued in the early stages of the second half.
Southampton shot-stopper Paulo Gazzaniga was forced into a good save by Bent in the opening minutes, after Benteke threaded the striker through expertly. The new signing himself went close with a thundering header from the resulting corner.
But Adkins' men woke up just before the hour mark, when Lambert fired past Brad Guzan to equalise for the Saints. The big forward showed skill to bring down the cross before unleashing his strike into the bottom corner.
Lallana then went close to another Saints' goal moments later, but his superb half-volley didn't quite dip enough. However, the side did manage to grab a quick-fire second through Clyne in the 64th minute.
The full-back started the move by giving the ball to Lambert, who then found Ramirez. The Uruguayan flicked the ball beyond the Villa defence with his first touch, leaving Clyne to pass the ball past the away keeper.
Puncheon was next to try and find the net for Saints, as they looked to secure their first points of the season, but flashed his shot wide. However, the winger did manage to net a third for Saints after he rifled a right-footed effort past the keeper, creating a yard for himself with a neat dummy-shot.
Emmanuel Mayuka was then brought down by Guzan, who was booked in the final minute, presenting Lambert with a chance to make it four from the penalty spot - which he took, giving Saints their first points of the season.
