Southampton manager Ronald Koeman believes that his side deserved defeat in their last two Premier League fixtures.
The Saints suffered setbacks on the road to both Sunderland and Leicester City, and ahead of Saturday's match with Aston Villa, Koeman has admitted that they need to start on the front foot to give themselves the best chance of securing a morale-boosting three points.
The 52-year-old told the club's official YouTube channel: "The start in the game is always important, that makes a lot a difference. If you start well and start aggressive then it's more difficult for the opponent.
"We didn't start well in the last two games, we have to start better than we did.
"The mood is good, but of course, after the last two defeats it was not good. I don't think we played well, we didn't deserve a better result in the last two games but we know our situation."
Victory for Southampton would move them into sixth place in the standings before the afternoon's fixtures.
Darren Plant
