Southampton V Aston Villa at St. Mary's Stadium : Match Preview

15 May 2015 16:01
Southampton V Aston Villa - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Europa would be 'special' - Koeman

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman believes his team will turn a good season into a "special" one if they hold off Swansea and secure qualification for the Europa League.

The Saints are in danger of slipping out of the European spots after a run of just one win in six matches, which has left them clinging on to seventh place in the Barclays Premier League table.

Only finishing fifth or sixth will guarantee the south-coast club a place in Europe's secondary tournament, while seventh will also be enough if Arsenal win the FA Cup.

Southampton host Aston Villa on Saturday, knowing victory will move them four points clear of Swansea in eighth, before Garry Monk's side entertain in-form Manchester City on Sunday.

"If we win, we will have a good possibility to achieve the sixth or the seventh position in the table and that makes the season a special one in my opinion," Koeman said.

"It's always difficult because if someone offered me a paper in pre-season to finish eighth or seventh in the table, I would have asked, 'where can I sign that paper?'

"But, of course, the feeling in the last part of the season is also important and, of course, you have to look back to the whole season.

"It will be a good season for Southampton but if we don't reach the sixth or seventh position, you end the season with a little bit of a different feeling."

The merits of qualifying for the Europa League are questionable given the number of extra matches the competition demands and the difficult of balancing Thursday night games with league fixtures at the weekend.

It has been suggested teams like Tottenham and Liverpool would stand a better chance of finishing in the top four if they avoided the tournament next season, but Koeman insists European football would be something to savour at St Mary's.

"Maybe for a big club the Europa League is not what they want - they want Champions League football," Koeman said.

"But for us - and I think for Swansea, I think for Stoke - it's a big achievement to play in Europe.

"There is no issue that we will do everything to reach that possibility.

"What will happen afterwards, we will see how we have to handle that, but it will be a great achievement for the club if we reach European football."

Forward Gabby Agbonlahor believes Aston Villa's struggling stars have taken responsibility for their survival fight as they look to seal safety.

Villa were in the bottom three and had lost their last five games when Tim Sherwood took over the reins from Paul Lambert in February.

They are now on course to stay up, after three wins in their last four matches, and will contest the FA Cup final against Arsenal on May 30.

Sherwood's side - four points clear of the bottom three with two games left - head to Southampton knowing a win would keep them in the top flight, with a draw possibly enough if other results go for them.

"I think a lot of players have stood up," Agbonlahor said. "That's why we're in a more healthy position to stay up than we were seven or eight games ago.

"There's no reason why we can't get safe as soon as possible. We've got a great squad now.

"The boys are playing at a high tempo, everyone is enjoying their football and, if you look at the results we've been having, we've beaten teams comfortably.

"With the FA Cup coming up as well, it's an exciting time to be a Villa fan and for everyone associated with the club."

Ciaran Clark (knee) is out this weekend along with Libor Kozak (back), while Nathan Baker (knee) has returned to training but will not be fit.

The Saints are seventh and still in the hunt for a Europa League spot in a season which has seen them flirt with the top four.

Agbonlahor has been impressed with Ronald Koeman's side, especially after they sold Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren last summer.

"If you asked a lot of people before the season started, they'd have thought Southampton wouldn't be where they are now," he told the club's official website.

"You think any team that sells four or five of their best players would struggle, but they've wisely spent and the players they've brought in have performed very well. They've been a quality side.

"We know it will be a tough game and we'll have to be at our best to get something out of the game.

"The attitude of our players when we set foot on pitch will be 'we need it more than you'.

"Hopefully we can use that to our advantage and get the three points."


Source: PAR