B Team Preview: Saints vs Aston Villa

THE MATCH

Saints vs Aston Villa
Premier League 2
Snows Stadium
Saturday 8th October, 12pm
For ticket details see below

Despite a positive start to the 2022/23 season, it’s been a difficult couple of weeks for Dave Horseman’s side.

In their last league outing, Saints fell to a 6-2 defeat at Leeds United before losing out to Exeter City in the Papa Johns Trophy in midweek.

Dom Ballard added to his goal scoring tally against Exeter City on Tuesday by opening the scoring after just 18 minutes but two goals in quick succession from the hosts ensured City emerged victorious, with Saints loanee Kegs Chauke netting the winner.

With plenty of games left to play and Saints already sitting pretty in fourth place in the Premier League 2 table, Saturday could be the perfect opportunity for Horseman’s side to bounce back and regain the confidence that saw them flourish in August.

Visitors Aston Villa also suffered a 6-2 defeat last time out in the league, with Midlands rivals West Brom the victors.

Disappointment also came in the Papa Johns Trophy as they fell to a 5-0 defeat to Pompey in midweek.

TICKET DETAILS

Fans can get tickets at the following prices and can purchase them using the button below:

- Adults - £5
- Concessions - £3
- Under 13s - £1

Season ticket holders and AFC Totton season ticket holders will be permitted free entry. Please show your season ticket at the turnstiles to be admitted.

Please note there will be no parking available on site, instead this is provided at nearby Calmore Industrial Estate.

LAST MEETING

The spoils were shared when Saints visited Bodymoor Heath back in March. With Villa opening the scoring after just two minutes, goals from Kazeem Olaigbe and Lewis Payne saw Saints with the lead at the break.

Unable to hold onto the advantage, a 75th minute goal from Brad Young ensured it was a point a piece in the Midlands.

A different tale was told when Villa last visited the south coast, with Saints racing to an emphatic 4-0 victory in October 2021.

After a Nathan Tella penalty gave Saints the early advantage at Staplewood, a goal shortly before the break for Thierry Small doubled Saints’ lead.

With Villa conceding an own goal for the third, it was down to Lewis Payne to consolidate the win with a goal upon the hour mark.

MANAGER’S NOTES

“It’s a tricky one because they’re talented,” admitted Horseman. “They’re a bit like us though, they’re younger normally.

“They’re really talented, they’re one of the better teams with the most talented players in the league.

“Again, we’re in a really good place. We’re playing so well this year, much better. We did a lot of our stats yesterday, in comparison to last season we’re up on almost every metric at the moment.

“We still want to win games, not just perform well cause it’s both. It’ll be a tough game but one that we’re definitely looking forward to.”