Gabriel Agbonlahor’s first half goal was cancelled out when Nathaniel Clyne found the back of the net for Southampton late in the match to earn a draw at Villa Park.
Southampton hadn’t conceded a Premier League goal in over a month and looked to keep a clean sheet against an Aston Villa side that had only tallied five times all season.
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However, a miscue by keeper Fraser Forster helped put Aston Villa on the scoresheet in the 29th minute. Ciaran Clark cleared the defensive zone with a long ball forward, and Forster and his defenders miscommunicated as Agbonlahor breezed by the keeper and finished into an empty net.
Villa went into the break with the lead, but were unable to leave with all three points. Southampton continued to press while dominating possession in the second half, eventually leading to Clyne’s goal.
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Ryan Betrand took a ball down the left wing, sprinting past a defender before slotting a ball across the box which found Nathaniel Clyne who gave Brad Guzan no chance at making a save.
Southampton controlled the match but failed to create many opportunities on goal. Currently in second place, Ronald Koeman will be disappointed his team could not earn all three points with their next three matches against Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United.
With the draw, Villa remain 16th on the table, still just two points clear of the relegation zone.
LINEUPS:
Aston Villa: Guzan, Hutton, Okore, Clark, Cissokho, Sanchez (Bent 74'), Westwood, Cleverley, Weimann, N’Zogbia (Richardson 64'), Agbonlahor
Goal: Agbonlahor (29′)
Southampton: Forster; Clyne, Fonte, Alderweireld, Bertrand, Schneiderlin, Wanyama, Tadic, Mane (Mayuka 79'), Long (Cork 89'), Pelle
Goal: Clyne (81')