THREE Aston Villa goals in the space of 17 minutes saw Saints throw away a 2-0 lead and suffer a painful defeat at St Mary's this afternoon.

Everything had gone to plan during an end-to-end first half as goals from Kevin Phillips and Peter Crouch appeared to have set-up a vital win and three precious points.

But nerves and some dreadful defending were again to blame as second-half goals from Carlton Cole, Nolberto Solano and Steve Davis left Saints now facing a major battle to preserve their 27-year Premiership status.

The script seemed to have been written for Villa old-boy Crouch when he made one and scored another to put Saints two clear inside 13 minutes.

He squared to set-up Phillips who finished well to mark his return to the starting line-up.

Crouch then scored his 14th of the season after latching on to an excellent Jamie Redknapp pass.

But the defence never looked particularly solid and the game dramatically turned when Cole made it 2-1 on 55 minutes.

Saints then began to defend deep and were made to pay with a double-blow from Solano and Davis on 69 and 71 minutes to fall 3-2 behind.

Saints' woes were compounded in injury-time when Nigel Quashie was worryingly stretchered off.

The match today had kicked-off 15 minutes late as some of the crowd had been delayed following a road accident at WestQuay.

Saints 2 - 3 Aston Villa

Other local full-time scores

Chesterfield 2 - 3 Bournemouth

Stoke 2 - 0 Plymouth

Burnley 1 - 1 Brighton

(Delayed start to the Saints game)

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