Southampton have found a rich vein of form as draws earlier in the season have been converted to wins while not sacrificing defensive stability. One defeat in their past 13 matches in all competitions is mightily impressive. Key to their rise has been the strike partnership of Ché Adams and Armando Broja clicking, raising hopes that Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side can win the FA Cup while qualifying for Europe. Sprits should naturally be high, then, when facing an Aston Villa side whose headline-grabbing January recruits are failing to live up to the hype thus far. Steven Gerrard will be wary of his side slipping into a relegation battle so they are unlikely to roll over. Graham Searles
Saturday 3pm
Venue Villa Park
Last season Aston Villa 3 Southampton 4
Referee Peter Bankes
This season G8 Y44 R2 5.75 cards/game
Odds H 7-5 A 21-10 D 28-11
ASTON VILLA
Subs from Sinisalo, Carney Chukwuemeka, Young, Smith, Olsen, Hause, Sanson, Chambers, Traoré, Bailey
Doubtful Traoré (hamstring)
Injured Nakamba (knee, Apr)
Suspended None
Discipline Y57 R2
Form DWDLLW
Leading scorer Watkins 6
SOUTHAMPTON
Subs from Caballero, Lewis, Stephens, Long, A Armstrong, Small, Valery, Walcott, Djenepo, Smallbone, Redmond, Perraud, Diallo
Doubtful Walker-Peters (hamstring), Long (knock)
Injured Tella (groin, 13 Mar), McCarthy (hamstring, unknown), Lyanco (hamstring, unknown)
Suspended None
Discipline Y48 R2
Form LDWDWW
Leading scorer Adams 7
