---
title: "Aston Villa Predicted XI: Southampton (A)"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2021/01/30/aston-villa-predicted-xi-southampton-away/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2021-01-30T09:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-01-30T09:00:00Z"
---

# Aston Villa Predicted XI: Southampton (A)

[Aston Villa](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/01/28/gregg-evans-makes-aston-villa-transfer-admission-over-striker-pursuit/) travel to face Southampton tonight and Dean Smith could make changes to the side which lost 3-2 to Burnley in midweek. Morgan Sanson is now a Villa player and might be in contention to [make his debut for the club](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/morgan-sanson/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/174094) at St Mary’s.

**Emiliano Martinez** conceded three goals on Wednesday but [hasn’t put much of a foot wrong](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/24/Show/England-Aston-Villa) this season so he’s unlikely to lose his place. Kortney Hause is [out injured](https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php) and Bjorn Engels is [surplus to requirements](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/bjorn-engels/leistungsdaten/spieler/193469), so **Tyrone Mings** and **Ezri Konsa** both get the nod at centre-back by default.

**Matty Cash** wasn’t at his best against Burnley, but he still had more touches (91) than any other player and won three aerial duels ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1485401/LiveStatistics/England-Premier-League-2020-2021-Burnley-Aston-Villa)), so he’s expected to start at right-back ahead of Ahmed Elmohamady and Frederic Guilbert.

**Matt Targett** grabbed an assist on Wednesday and had a [better pass completion percentage (78.1%)](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1485401/LiveStatistics/England-Premier-League-2020-2021-Burnley-Aston-Villa) than any Villa defender, so Smith should give him the nod also in an [unchanged back four](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/3429684).

Moving to midfield, **Douglas Luiz** has averaged a tackle (18) or interception (20) every 39 minutes [this season](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/337883/Show/Douglas-Luiz), so his place isn’t at risk. Smith might give him a lone deep-lying role tonight, though.

Ross Barkley [wasn’t at his best against Burnley](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/92547/MatchStatistics/Ross-Barkley) and doesn’t appear to be match fit after his [two-month absence through injury](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ross-barkley/leistungsdaten/spieler/131978), so **Morgan Sanson** could make his debut, with Smith confirming that the new signing [is available for the Southampton trip](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/january/The-Presser-Smith-on-Southampton-trip/).

**John McGinn** returned in midweek and created two chances while turning over possession three times ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1485401/LiveStatistics/England-Premier-League-2020-2021-Burnley-Aston-Villa)), so he is likely to keep his place. Smith might just push him higher up the pitch as Sanson generally plays deeper than Barkley.

**Bertrand Traore** [wasn’t at his best](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1485401/LiveStatistics/England-Premier-League-2020-2021-Burnley-Aston-Villa) against Burnley, resulting in his second-half substitution, but he should be given a chance on Saturday to put that right. The 25-year-old is likely to get good graces for his fine run of form – four goals and one assist in last [seven games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/bertrand-traore/leistungsdaten/spieler/131996).

**Jack Grealish** [created five chances](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1485401/LiveStatistics/England-Premier-League-2020-2021-Burnley-Aston-Villa) and scored in midweek, so there’s little chance of him losing his place.

**Ollie Watkins** has [played every minute of every Premier League game](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ollie-watkins/leistungsdaten/spieler/324358) and scored against Burnley, so he should lead the line once again.

Just the [one change from Wednesday](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/3429684), then, as Barkley makes way to give Sanson his Villans debut.

***Predicted XI v Southampton:*** *Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Luiz, McGinn; Sanson; Traore, Grealish; Watkins*