THE BUILD-UP, the excitement, the hype... it lasted 12 minutes.

If there was a danger of Saints' first league game of the season being overshadowed by James Beattie's potential move from St Mary's, then it was just as well.

It certainly seemed the attentions of the players were elsewhere as Saints got off to a wretched start.

They did miss Beattie's presence in attack and he will need to be replaced quickly and properly if he makes his move to Aston Villa or anywhere else this week.

It was clear to see the side also need that promised new defender double quick. And he needs to be young and fast.

In the first half against Villa, Saints were truly woeful.

Villa dominated every single area of the field and it was no surprise after the game to hear of Paul Sturrock's anger in the dressing room at half-time.

Right from the back to front, it was sub-standard.

There were communication problems between Antti Niemi and his defence.

The defence itself looked its age with three players over 30 being done time and again by the young and lively Darius Vassell and Carlton Cole.

In midfield, Saints couldn't get a foothold in the game.

Keeping possession anywhere was a rare sight in the first half while, up front, Kevin Phillips didn't get much of a service while Brett Ormerod was frozen out.

Thankfully, things got a fair bit better in the second half but, by then, the damage had been done.

What was more worrying than the result was the reaction of some of Saints' players on the field.

Rumours of dressing-room unrest were hardly dampened by the sight of players arguing with each other during the game, culminating in Niemi shoving David Prutton in the face after the keeper had a dispute with Lundekvam over the conceding of a corner.

Villa, who look a decent side and will take some beating at home this season, set the tempo as early as the third minute.

Lundekvam was skinned for pace by Vassell who lobbed a hopeful ball in the air. Jason Dodd was nowhere and Gareth Barry stole in at the far post and should have done better than blazing his effort wide.

Cole forced Niemi into turning his header round the post before Villa took the lead just 12 minutes into the new season.

Jlloyd Samuel crossed from the left and Barry acrobatically volleyed to the far post, where Lee Hendrie shot at goal.

Niemi looked to have it covered but Danny Higginbotham and a mass of players were in the way and the ball bounced up for Vassell to poke home from close range.

Sub Peter Whittingham engaged Niemi again when the Finnish international stayed big and strong to fist away a powerful effort on 24 minutes.

But, ten minutes later, Saints' frailties were exposed once again and Villa doubled their lead.

Vassell's high ball was chased down by Cole, who produced a neat right-foot finish to give Niemi no chance.

Not bad bearing in mind Lundekvam had a two-yard head-start and got nowhere near him.

Saints' only effort in the first half saw Ormerod cause problems on the by-line before Mikael Nilsson's fierce shot was well saved by Thomas Sorensen before Mark Delaney cleared.

Paul Sturrock made two half-time changes, introducing Rory Delap and Anders Svensson into the midfield for Yoann Folly and Nilsson.

Saints got better and started to keep the ball for periods of time but Villa were not as rampant or hungry as the first half, either.

Phillips and Prutton forced Sorensen into saves while Fabrice Fernandes spun and hit a goal-bound shot that was only stopped by the face of Phillips.

But Saints couldn't get themselves back into the game and Villa played out the time for the clean sheet and the win.

The pressure will now be on with two home games in the space of a few days against Blackburn and Bolton.

There's no point in anybody getting carried away by an opening day defeat away to Villa.

However, there does need to be a significant improvement in performance on Saturday and next Wednesday to pick up some points and restore some lost faith.

In a funny way, the sale of Beattie may revitalise the squad if a suitable replacement is brought in - along with that much-needed central defender.

But some of the problems displayed on Saturday need to be nipped in the bud quickly.

For this week, you can put it down to opening day teething problems.

It won't stay that way forever.