Jhon Duran’s first-half goal proved decisive as Aston Villa edged Southampton 1-0 in a Premier League clash on Saturday. The result lifted Villa to fifth place in the standings with 25 points from 15 matches, while Southampton remain rooted at the bottom with just five points from the same number of games.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery made four changes to the side that triumphed 3-1 against Brentford midweek. Notably, striker Ollie Watkins, Villa’s leading league scorer this season with seven goals, started on the bench. Duran, seizing the opportunity of his first Premier League start this season, delivered a standout performance.
The 20-year-old Colombian forward broke the deadlock in the 24th minute, demonstrating both power and composure. Capitalizing on a long ball and errors from Southampton defenders Nathan Wood and Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Duran surged into the box and fired a clinical finish past goalkeeper Joe Lumley. It marked his fifth league goal of the season, underlining his potential as a game-changer for Villa.
Duran nearly doubled Villa’s lead shortly after, but his effort was blocked following a clever cut-back from left-back Ian Maatsen. While Villa had the better chances, they struggled to capitalize, with Ross Barkley’s late attempt also thwarted by Wood. The hosts’ inability to extend their lead left some tense moments in a match where they otherwise appeared in control.
Southampton dominated possession but failed to convert their control into meaningful opportunities. In a glaring statistic, the visitors did not register a single shot on target throughout the match. Defensive lapses have plagued the newly promoted side, with the team now having committed 10 errors directly leading to goals this season—three more than any other club across Europe’s top five leagues.
Adding to Villa’s concerns, winger Leon Bailey was forced off with an injury in the 59th minute. Despite this setback, the victory marks a significant upturn for Villa, who had endured an eight-match winless streak before their midweek success. For Southampton, the loss further highlights the uphill battle they face to turn their season around.
