ANDERS SVENSSON was hailed as a player with "eyes in the back of his head" following an influential display on Saturday.

The Swede displayed his full range of flicks and clever passing from the left of midfield as Saints created enough chances to beat Aston Villa.

And it was Svensson's defence-splitting pass which set Kevin Phillips clear for the equaliser on the stroke of half-time.

"Anders is quality, sometimes he has eyes in the back of his head. It was a good bit of vision from him," said Phillips.

"He's a good player. You don't get so many caps for Sweden without being a quality player.

"If Anders is at the top of his game he is a great player to have in your team."

It was arguably Svensson's best display of the season and the first time since February he has played a full match.

As well as making the goal, he shaved the post with a fierce drive midway through the second half.

Svensson said: "I was very disappointed with the performance against Chelsea.

"The whole team was really up for it on Saturday and I got close to scoring - I thought that shot was sneaking in, but it has just gone wide.

"We are trying to end the season as best we can.

"We played really well, we played some good football, created some good chances and could have won.

"It was a big improvement from the Chelsea game."

Svensson has only one year left on his Saints contract and is keen to impress new manager Paul Sturrock.

All in all, it was a good end to what must have been a difficult week for the 27-year-old, following news he is the subject of a tax investigation back home in Sweden regarding what his agent says is a misunderstanding dating back several years.

Svensson said: "I enjoyed myself, but I would have enjoyed it more if we had got three points.

"We created a lot of chances, we broke quick and it was a fun game to play in.

"It was very important to get the goal just before half-time and then in the second half we had chances to go a goal up.

"We are disappointed not to win."

Of Villa's disputed penalty, Svensson admitted he was as surprised by the decision as the rest of another crowd in excess of 32,000 inside St Mary's.

"I thought it was a free kick to us. I was walking away and then he said someone had pushed one of their players," he added.