Aston Villa boosted their hopes of securing a second consecutive season of Champions League football with a 3-0 win over already-relegated Southampton – despite Marco Asensio missing two second-half penalties for the visitors.
Substitute Ollie Watkins made an instant impact after replacing Marcus Rashford, breaking the deadlock with a stunning first-time strike that crashed in off the underside of the crossbar from a superb Youri Tielemans pass.
Just minutes earlier, Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale had kept his side in it by saving Asensio’s first spot-kick after Watkins was brought down by a reckless challenge from Jan Bednarek.
Donyell Malen doubled Villa’s lead with his third goal in as many league games six minutes later, before Ramsdale denied Asensio again from the spot in added time. However, John McGinn was on hand to slot home the rebound and seal a comfortable win for Unai Emery’s side.
Southampton offered little threat, with Cameron Archer wasting their best opportunity in the first half when he fired straight at Emiliano Martinez after being played through by Kyle Walker-Peters.
The result lifts Villa to fifth in the Premier League table, while Southampton remain rock-bottom on 10 points.
