Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino has insisted that he is remaining positive, despite a run of three consecutive league defeats.

The club's 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa on Wednesday saw them remain eighth in the table.

Despite having five first-team players out due to injury, Pochettino believes that he has enough quality in his squad to cope.

"I am confident that we can overcome this bad run that we are on. That is what we are working for," he told Sky Sports News.

"The project in Southampton is to mix very young players with a lot more experienced players. This is a big test for us right now and it also gives us a good chance to bring some of the younger players.

"It is a very good experience for them to be in the mix with more veteran players in the senior side. It is a very good chance for us to execute that plan to bring younger players into the side."

Southampton face Manchester City on Saturday.