Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for Monday night football as Aston Villa host Southampton at Villa Park. These two sides are at opposite ends of the table coming into this match and their form could hardly be further apart, so it will be interesting to see whether this one goes with the form book tonight. We'll start with a look at our hosts...

Things started so well for Aston Villa this season, but they have turned sour very quickly and now they are in desperate need to a victory to take them out of a terrible run of form. Paul Lambert's men saw results go against them at the weekend, with Leicester drawing and Crystal Palace and Burnley both winning, and as a result they now sit 17th in the Premier League table, just one place and one point clear of the bottom three.

The Villans picked up a very impressive 10 points from their opening four games this season, but since then have only managed one more from the 21 available in that time. They come into this one without a win in seven, a run of form that began following a hugely encouraging 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield earlier in the campaign. It should be noted that they have faced some tricky fixtures in that time, but even so they are in relegation form right now.

They did at least halt a run of six consecutive defeats in their last match before the international break, however. They managed to hold high-flying West Ham United to a goalless draw at Upton Park which, while not ending their winless streak, was still a good result for a side in Villa's position right now. The tough games just keep on coming, though, and it would be something of a surprise if they were to get anything out of this one tonight.

Their biggest problem this season has undoubtedly been goals. They have found the back of the net a meagre five times in their opening 11 matches - unsurprisingly the worst tally in the division. They have scored just once since their victory over Liverpool in September, and have only found the net in four of their 12 matches in all competitions this season. That truly is a woeful record and one that they need to end sooner rather than later, although the suspension of Benteke will not help them in that respect.

Given their troubles in front of goal, it won't come as a huge surprise to hear that they have had the fewest shots on target in the Premier League this season with just 23. That is eight fewer than Manchester City's Sergio Aguero has attempted on his own so far, which gives some idea of how poor Villa have been in the final third. Their slump has coincided with Paul Lambert signing a new contract too, with the club having picked up just one point and scored one goal in the seven matches since he put pen to paper.

Villa Park has not provided any solace for them either. Paul Lambert's side now have the worst home record in the Premier League following Crystal Palace's victory over Liverpool yesterday, with the Villans having amassed just four points and scored only three goals in front of their own fans, all of which have come in the first half of games. They have now lost their last three at Villa Park, and they haven't lost four in a row at home since 2011-12.

The opening goal is likely to be crucial in this match, as Villa have a woeful record when conceding first. They are one of just two teams, alongside Liverpool, not to have rescued any points from losing positions in the Premier League so far this season, losing all five of the matches in which they have shipped the opening goal. Compare that to Southampton. who are the only team in the league not to have dropped points from a winning position this season, emerging victorious in all eight of the games in which they have led.

That is just one of a host of impressive statistics that can be attributed to Southampton this season, with the Saints enjoying their best ever start to a top-flight campaign. Ronald Koeman has worked wonders since replacing Pochettino in the summer, managing a huge overhaul of players and somehow improving the team in the process. The Dutchman's stock has already risen hugely since arriving at the club, and the future continues to look bright for the Saints as they go marching on.

They come into this match sitting second in the table with a game in hand over all of the teams around them. Victory this evening would see them close the gap on Chelsea back to four points but, perhaps even more importantly, it would restore the four-point gap between themselves and Manchester City. It would also see them move nine clear of Manchester United, 11 clear of Arsenal, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, and 14 clear of Liverpool. The top four is beginning to look like a real possibility for the Saints.

After a shaky start in which they were unfortunate to only pick up one point from their opening two games, Southampton have not looked back this season. They come into this match having won their last five in all competitions, while they have emerged victorious in 11 of their last 12 since those first two games. The only exception in that time came in the 1-0 defeat at the hands of Spurs, but aside from that Southampton have not slipped up at all in recent months.

It is hard to see a weakness in the Southampton team right now, with the attack firing on all cylinders and the defence holding firm at the other end. The likes of Pelle and Tadic have gelled immediately up front, and as a result the Saints have scored 23 times already this season. Only Chelsea and City have managed more than that, although both of those sides have played a game more. It should be noted, though, that only six of Southampton's 23 goals have come away from home.

As impressive as their attack has been, it is in defence that Southampton have really shone this season. They boast the best record in the league having conceded just five goals in their opening 11 fixtures, six fewer than the next best defence. They have kept a league-high seven clean sheets this season, including four in a row in the league, last conceding way back on October 5 in the defeat to Spurs.

If there is a tiny concern for Koeman at the moment, it may be about his side's away form. They have been imperious in front of their own fans, but their two defeats this season have both come on their travels, to Liverpool on the opening day and Tottenham last month. They have still won six of their eight away outings in all competitions, but only three of those victories - in addition to the two defeats - have come in the league.

Koeman said that the international break came at a good time for his side as his players needed a rest after such a promising start, but not many of them would have had a chance to relax. They had no fewer than 17 players away on international duty which, while demonstrating their impressive strength in depth, could also raise the question of fatigue tonight. Southampton are aiming for five consecutive top-flight victories for the first time since January-March 2001, so they could do with all of their players on top form once again.

TEAM NEWS: Right, the teams are in for both sides and the big news is that Villa have made three changes to account for a number of defensive injuries. Vlaar, Senderos and Baker are all out, so Okore comes in for his first start of the season while Clark and Hutton are also included. Southampton, meanwhile, make just the one change as Long comes into the side for Steven Davis. Full teams for both sides coming right up...

ASTON VILLA STARTING XI: Guzan; Hutton, Okore, Clark, Cissokho; Sanchez, Westwood, Cleverley; Weimann, N'Zogbia, Agbonlahor

ASTON VILLA SUBS: Given, Bacuna, Cole, Richardson, Bent, Lowton, Grealish

SOUTHAMPTON STARTING XI: Forster; Clyne, Fonte, Alderweireld, Bertrand; Wanyama, Schneiderlin, Tadić; Long, Mané, Pellè

SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: K. Davis, Yoshida, Gardos, Cork, Mayuka, Reed, Targett

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, the glaring problem for Villa comes at the back this week despite their obvious struggles at the other end so far this season. With Vlaar, Senderos and Baker all out through injury Lambert has had to name an unfamiliar defence, which is something Southampton will look to exploit tonight. Hutton has overcome an ankle injury to play, while Cissokho has also featured regularly this season, but Okore and Clark certainly wouldn't be in Lambert's first choice XI.

In midfield, Delph remains sidelined with a shoulder injury for the remainder of the year, and Sanchez, Westwood and Cleverley need to help fill the void left by the midfield, whose form earned him an international call-up earlier in the campaign. That trio in midfield also need to provide more of a threat going forward in an attempt to spread the goals throughout the team a little more. A goalscoring midfielder can be priceless for a team like Villa who are struggling to find the net.

Ultimately, though, the main goalscoring mantle falls on those up top, and the likes of Weimann and Agbonlahor need to do more in that respect. Of course, the absence of Benteke this season - first through injury and now through suspension - has not helped at all, but Weimann and Agbonlahor have both shown that they can score goals at this level and they need to do that with more regularity now. That pair, along with N'Zogbia, give Villa a good, quick counter-attacking threat, which they will no doubt look to use tonight.

As for Southampton, they have a trio of strikers in form starting tonight's match. Pelle has been something of a revelation since he arrived in the Premier League, while Mane has worked his way into the starting lineup with his recent performances too. They are joined up top by Long tonight in Southampton's only change after the Irish striker scored a brace to hand his side all three points against Leicester last time out.

There is good news for the Saints in midfield as two key players are passed fit to play. Tadic has been in fine form since joining the club and was a doubt for this one having picked up a knock when on international duty, but he has recovered in time to start. Schneiderlin, meanwhile, is proving worth the fight Southampton put up to keep him in the summer, and is also included in Koeman's XI despite concerns over a groin injury. Wanyama makes up a well-balanced midfield trio.

Southampton's sensational form has been build on solid foundations, and the familiar back four once again plays this evening. Clyne should be full of confidence having impressed in his first two appearances for England during the international break, while Fonte and Alderweireld have quickly formed a good partnership that has ensured Lovren's departure has barely been felt. Bertrand on the other side may also be in line for an international call-up if things continue like this, and he will take lots of confidence from Clyne's rise.

Behind them, Forster has proved to be an inspired summer signing so far, keeping more clean sheets than anyone else in the Premier League. He featured for England against Scotland at Celtic Park last Tuesday and didn't have too much to do, but a return to his former stomping ground was just rewards for what has been a stellar season for the keeper so far.

PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes away from kickoff at Villa Park, which means that it is time for a prediction! Everything points at a Southampton victory tonight and, in truth, I can't see any other outcome. Villa's defence has been ravaged by injuries and, while Southampton have not exactly been scoring freely away from home, their attack has enough quality to make the most of that. I'm going for a 2-0 victory for the Saints.

Is there any hope for Villa to end their winless streak this evening? None of the stats are encouraging in that respect, but take a look at what the Sports Mole Sofa thought of their chances in our video preview below:

With the league's worst attack coming up against the league's best defence, Villa will look for any signs of encouragement for a way past Southampton. However, they won't find any in the Saints' recent record at Villa Park, with Southampton having kept five clean sheets in their last eight visits to face the Midlands outfit.

Southampton's overall record here isn't great having won just six of their 32 league meetings at Villa Park, but it has improved in recent times. Four of those victories have come in their last 15 trips, while last season's match resulted in a goalless draw. You'd have to think that Villa would be the happier of the two sides if that were to happen again tonight.

The teams are out at Villa Park and we are just about to go here. Three points would be very valuable for both sides for very different reasons, with Villa looking to stay clear of the relegation zone, while Southampton are beginning to see a Champions League place as a realistic target.

KICKOFF: Southampton get us underway here at Villa Park as they look to keep their remarkable form up against a side who cannot buy a win at the moment. Can they do it, or will Villa spring a surprise?

Bright play from Agbonlahor early on as he picks the ball up inside the Southampton half and drives at the defence. It opens up for him to have a shot, but his effort is well blocked and Forster manages to prevent it from going behind for a corner.

We may have had our gaffe of the game after just four minutes! Pelle pings a nice pass out to the left for Mane, who has space down the left channel to look up and pick out a man inside the box. However, he tries to play it in with the outside of the boot, only to fire it straight out of play. Dreadful.

Southampton have quickly taken control of possession here, and they are passing the ball about with the sort of confidence that comes with such good form. An assured start from the visitors.

The Saints work a short corner nicely before the ball is driven in to Schneiderlin, but it was a tough one for the midfielder to deal with. He did manage to steer it in the general direction of the goal, but it ended up a few yards wide.

Southampton come forward again as Mane makes progress down the left channel. His cross finds Tadic at the back post and, rather than looking for Pelle in the middle, he tries to cut inside and shoot. However, Cissokho makes a good block to concede a corner.

SHOT! The original corner is just about dealt with by Villa, but Southampton recycle it and come back again. The ball is slid to Wanyama on the edge of the box, but his first-time effort loops comfortably over the crossbar.

Southampton have had 60% of the ball in the opening 10 minutes, and it is the visitors who have asked the questions so far. They look confident and capable of controlling this game, although they are yet to create a really good chance.

Villa win a corner of their own after a good challenge from Fonte halted a promising attack from the hosts. The delivery is cleared as far as Cleverley on the edge of the area, but his low volley is well blocked.

Villa have a chance to counter from a free kick, but Wanyama breaks it up and then comes forward himself with a powerful run. He plays an early ball into the middle, but Mane has strayed too early and is flagged for offside.

SHOT! Superb football from Southampton on the left flank. Bertrand slides a pass in to Pelle, who produces a lovely backheel to find the full-back again inside the box. His pass is a little in front of Mane, who stretches to get something on it, and his sliced effort goes wide of the target.

The visitors are completely controlling this match right now, dictating the tempo of the game with their passing. They have sprayed a number of long passes from side to side, and Villa are struggling to get hold of the ball at the moment.

A hint of a penalty shout as Long races on to a through-ball inside the area before being felled by a sliding Clark challenge. Dowd has a look but awards a corner, and it is the correct decision as Clark got a good foot on the ball there.

The difference between these two sides has been evident in possession so far. Southampton are looking so tidy in possession, stroking the ball out confidently, while Villa have looked a little more hurried on the ball and, as a result, are giving it away more often.

Agbonlahor does really well to take the pressure off his side, picking up the ball on the halfway line before taking on three Southampton defenders. Eventually he cuts back inside and is tripped by Fonte, winning a free kick in a very dangerous position.

It is Westwood who goes for goal from the free kick, but his effort hits the wall and bounces kindly through for Forster to collect. Villa need to make more of those situations as it doesn't look like they will get too many of them tonight.

Villa have just begun to settle into the game a bit more in the last few minutes. We're still waiting for our first really clear chance of the match, and Lambert will be happy with how his makeshift defence has held up so far.

Aston Villa take the lead here, and it is a horror show from Forster in the Southampton goal! A long ball forward is chased down by Agbonlahor, who overtakes Alderweireld and reaches it just before Forster, who has come all the way out of his goal. It is a simple finish for Agbonlahor then as he rolls it into the empty net. Who saw this coming?!

That is the first goal Southampton have conceded in five games, but you wouldn't have thought it looking at that defending. Alderweireld cannot be absolved of blame there as he didn't do enough to block or match the run of Agbonlahor. He simply allowed the striker to race through in the hope that Forester would get there first.

Having said that, Forster should have had confidence in Alderweireld to deal with what was a fairly straightforward long ball. It was certainly an avoidable goal for the visitors, who must now respond if they are to keep up their winning record.

That goal should give Villa a lot of confidence, which they sorely need having been noticeably lacking in it so far tonight. Southampton, meanwhile, may have had their own belief shaken by that one and this will be a good test for Ronald Koeman's side.

SAVE! Guzan is called into action for the first time tonight, and it is a really good one from the Villa keeper. It is nice football again from the visitors as Tadic cuts inside and chooses to find Mane inside of shooting from the edge of the area. Mane curls a low one towards the bottom far corner, but Guzan is at full stretch to tip it past the post.

The likes of Tadic and Mane have looked fairly bright for Southampton so far, while Schneiderlin has pulled the strings from midfield, but Pelle and Long haven't had much joy down the middle yet. Okore and Clark are doing well at the moment.

SAVE! Another save for Guzan to make, but this time it is much more straightforward. A corner arrives into the box and Fonte gets a good head on it, but his firm effort is straight at the keeper, who holds on.

A worry for Villa here as Cissokho goes down under the challenge of Wanyama. The Southampton man just trod on the top of his foot and his ankle, so it was a painful one for the full-back. However, it looks like just an impact injury so he should be able to continue.

Southampton clear a Villa corner only as far as Sanchez, who picks up the ball some 30 yards from goal and is urged to shoot by the fans. They may think better of doing so next time. The midfielder duly obliges and fires a poor effort well over the top.

There will be a minimum of one minute added time at the end of this first half.

Phil Dowd brings an end to the opening 45 minutes at Villa Park, and it is the hosts who go into the break with the lead. Southampton have enjoyed the majority of the ball so far but have struggled to carve out clear chances, while Villa have made the most of the opening that fell their way. They will now fancy their chances of holding on for an unlikely victory.

It was Gabriel Agbonlahor that got the goal - just Villa's sixth of the season and the first Southampton have conceded in their last five games. Despite boasting the best defence in the division it was a horror show from the Saints at the back as one long ball forward caused havoc for the visitors. Alderweireld let Agbonlahor leave him in the chase for the ball, but Forster was mainly to blame as he charged off his line and failed to beat the Villa striker to the ball. Agbonlahor nicked in first and then slid the ball into the empty net.

The closest Southampton have come came after 37 minutes when Tadic cut in from the right flank before finding Mane, who got the ball out of his feet with his first touch before curling a good low effort towards the bottom corner. However, Guzan made a fine save to tip the shot wide in what was his first test of the match.

Guzan made another easy stop to deny Fonte shortly afterwards, but on the whole there has been a real lack of goalmouth action so far tonight. Forster's only involvement came with his mistake, while Guzan has just had those two stops to make. It has been an intriguing match in terms of general play, but neither side have had too much joy in the final third so far.

The Forster mistake aside, Koeman will be pretty happy with how his side have played so far. They have passed the ball about really well, looking tidy in possession and playing with a real swagger due to their recent form. They do need more of a cutting edge in order to test the Villa goal, but Koeman will be confident that that will come in the second half if they continue to control the game as they have been doing so far.

Lambert, meanwhile, will also be pleased with his side's performance so far. It is clear that Villa came into the match with a game plan not too commit too many men forward. Instead, they are looking to contain Southampton and hit on the break, which is exactly what they did in that first half. They are likely to take even fewer risks going forward now that they have the lead as the result is the main priority for Lambert in this match, but they will still fancy their chances of hurting Southampton on the counter.

KICKOFF: Villa get us back underway here as they look to hold onto this surprise lead for the next 45 minutes. Can they do it, or will Southampton respond?

CHANCE! Really bright start to the half from Villa as they get right at Southampton in the opening exchanges. A dangerous ball into the box just eludes Agbonlahor in the middle but finds Weimann at the back post. He drills it back into the middle, but the subsequent shot is well blocked just in front of Forster.

Speaking of Agbonlahor and Weimann, here are the pair celebrating the only goal of the game so far. How big could it prove to be if Villa are able to hold onto this lead?

© Getty Images

Koeman has decided to switch things up a bit in this second half, with Tadic moving into a more central role and Long moving out onto the right flank. Long wasn't really involved while playing in the hole in the first half, so Koeman will be hoping for more of an impact from Tadic.

It has been a fairly slow start to the second half after Villa's initial sight of goal. Their defence has coped very well so far considering they are missing a few really experienced players.

Pelle has been uncharacteristically quiet this evening. He has shown flashes of his power when holding the ball up on occasions, but he has not been able to get into the game anywhere near as much as he would like to be, which is largely down to the lack of service he has received.

As things stand, Villa would be moving up to 13th in the Premier League table, level on points with Liverpool. They have been in dreadful form recently, but a win this evening would make things look a lot brighter for Paul Lambert.

YELLOW CARD! The first card of the evening is shown to Wanyama, who hacks down Cleverley with a frustrated challenge inside the Villa half. Needless from the Southampton man.

Some nice football from Southampton as Tadic picks the ball up in the hole for the first real time since moving there at half time. He slides a pass inside the full-back for Bertrand, but the subsequent cross is a waste.

Villa are defending very deeply at the moment, and Southampton just can't find a way through. It has been a carbon copy of the first half so far, with the visitors bossing possession but not doing anything with it.

ASTON VILLA SUB: The hosts are the first to make a change tonight as N'Zogbia makes way for Kieran Richardson. It looks as though N'Zogbia may have picked up a slight injury, but Richardson is a little more defensively minded anyway so Lambert won't mind making that change.

Southampton just need to up the tempo here. They are still in complete control of possession, but they are knocking the ball about so slowly that Villa are not being drawn out of position and can simply stay in their banks of four. It is too easy for the hosts to defend right now.

SHOT! Clyne manages to get to the byline and squeeze a cross into the box that is cleared only as far as the edge of the area. Wanyama picks it up and immediately winds up a shot, but slices his effort wide of the target.

Southampton have just over 20 minutes to find two goals now if they are to keep up their fine recent record. Even if they lose this match it would have been a sensational start to the campaign for them, but if they are beginning to harbour any hopes of a top-four finish then they really should be winning these types of games.

A frantic couple of minutes as the ball bounces from one of the field to the other and back again. It just looks like it might begin to open up, which would suit Southampton as it has been far too compact for them so far.

YELLOW CARD! Okore goes into the book for a mistimed sliding challenge on Long, who just reached the ball ahead of the defender.

CHANCE! Schneiderlin's free kick is poor, but Southampton keep the pressure on as Fonte is slipped in down the right channel. He has time and space to look up and tries to play a low ball into a dangerous area, but Guzan just gets a foot to it and it goes through to safety.

ASTON VILLA SUB: This is a very interesting change. On comes Darren Bent for Sanchez, which is an attacking switch despite the hosts leading this match.

SAVE! Long wins a free kick from Cissokho on the right side of the area, and Tadic chooses to go for goal despite the angle being against him. He whips it towards the far top corner, but Guzan is well placed and punches it clear.

CHANCE! Villa have a great chance to make it 2-0 and perhaps game over! Once again it comes on the break as Weimann picks the ball up in his own half and drives at the solitary Southampton defender. He eventually cuts back and plays a good ball out to the supporting run of Agbonlahor, who returns the favour with a low pass back into the box. Weimann is in space just inside the area, but balloons his effort well over the top when he should have done better.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB: The visitors make their first change of the evening and it is an interesting one as Emmanuel Mayuka replaces Mane.

Southampton finally have their equaliser! The two full-backs combine as Bertrand races forward down the left flank, getting goalside of Weimann before playing a low pass across the box. Clyne races onto the loose ball and guides his shot past a helpless Guzan to level things up.

YELLOW CARD! Clyne goes into the book just a minute after his goal for pulling back Agbonlahor.

Villa are camped inside their own half right now as Southampton push on for what would surely be a winner. They have just over five minutes of normal time to get it, and Villa will be getting nervous with each passing one of those. They blew a lead against Tottenham to lose 2-1 late on recently, remember.

Better from the hosts as they begin to apply a bit of pressure themselves. Forster almost makes another mistake as he flaps at a high ball into the box, but Southampton just about survive.

Villa have responded really well to that Southampton goal and, while initially it looked like they would be hanging on for a draw, they are now the team looking most likely to get a winner. This one is very finely poised for the closing stages.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB: In response to Villa's increased pressure Koeman makes a defensive change as Jack Cork replaces Long.

There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this match. Can either side find a winner here?

Really good defending from Clark as he clears three crosses into the box in quick succession. He and Okore have been very impressive tonight.

The spoils are shared here at Villa Park as Nathaniel Clyne's late goal rescued a point for Southampton, who are now six matches unbeaten in all competitions. Aston Villa, meanwhile, have now not won in eight but will be pretty pleased with a point against a high-flying Southampton side. Gabriel Agbonlahor got their goal and it looked as if they might be able to hold out until the Saints got their late leveller.

Right, that is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was an intriguing clash between two sides at opposite ends of the table and in contrasting form. Villa will be the happier of the two sides having come away with a draw, while Southampton may be content considering their goal came late. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!