CHRIS NICHOLL fears for Saints' Premiership future. And the former Dell boss and Saints and Aston Villa centre-half lays the blame firmly at the feet of the defence.

"They are just conceding too many goals," said Nicholl, "and, worryingly for them, Villa have hit a bit of form.

"Angel and Vassell have come back from injury and both are looking lively up front.

"They got a terrific 3-0 win up at Newcastle and were cruising it against West Brom last Saturday when the old Baggies spirit kicked in and they got a late equaliser."

Nicholl has great memories of playing for both Villa and Saints.

He was the defensive rock when Villa leapfrogged from the old third division to the top flight in the 1970s and as captain he led them into Europe.

Then history repeated itself for the Northern Ireland international when Lawrie McMenemy signed him and he helped Saints back up to the top flight in his first season (1977-78), played for them in Europe then, of course, went on to manage them after Lawrie McMenemy's departure in 1985.

"I've still got a lot of affection for both clubs but, although I live back in the Midlands and see far more of Villa than I do Southampton, my heart will be with the Saints tomorrow," says Nicholl.

"Villa are still trying to qualify for Europe, but Saints need the result more than they do on Saturday.

"I fear for Southampton's future in the Premiership .

"They've dropped back into the bottom three just when they should be pushing away from it and, worryingly, teams like West Brom are finding some form.

"The positive thing is that Harry Redknapp and Jim Smith are well versed in these kind of situations. They will do what's best for Saints.

"They know that the defending has not been up to scratch and I would imagine they have been working hard on that side of things on the training ground."

When Peter Crouch joined Saints from Villa last summer for £2m, Nicholl predicted the giant centre-forward would do the business for his new club - given the right kind of service.

Crouch has certainly impressed since Harry Redknapp's arrival - scoring more goals (9) in the Premiership this season than he managed (6) in over two seasons at Villa Park.

"Seeing Crouch playing so well doesn't surprise me," said Nicholl. "He came to Villa at the wrong time and we didn't see the best of him.

"But he went to Southampton at the right time and has been a success, but because the team are giving goals away too easily, they are eradicating so much of his good work."

Walsall-based Nicholl recently underwent a hip replacement operation, but he's making a fantastic recovery and has returned to playing on the national seniors tennis circuit on which he competes in tournament home and abroad.

He retains his contacts with football as a statistical analyst with the Press Association and, although he still has a yen to return to coaching and managing, has no burning desire to do so.

He says: "I watch a lot of games in the Midlands and what strikes me most about West Brom is the spirit running through the side.

"They have a few old home-grown pros who are rolling their sleeves up and really battling.

"I feel that's what you need most when you are trying to stay up, local lads, young or old, with a bit of pride in the club who are going to fight tooth and nail.

"Some times when you have a few foreign players in the dressing-room, you never quite know how they are going to react to a situation like this.

"If Southampton can shut up shop at the back it would make life easier for their goalkeepers and give them a fighting chance of staying up.

"But right now, it is looking a bit ominous..."