Southampton predicted team vs Aston Villa in Premier League

Che Adams hit a stunning winner to sting the Hornets at Vicarage Road last Saturday, making it two in two for him after an equaliser at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea in the EFL Cup.

It could be the return of former Saints man Danny Ings, who moved to Dean Smith’s Villa for £30million at the start of August, but he’s fighting a race to be fit after missing out their 4-1 West Ham defeat last weekend.

Saints missed a frontman of their own in Armando Broja, who had just scored in each of his first two Premier League starts vs Leeds United and Burnley at St Mary’s.

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The Albanian international is back in training but may not be given the nod to start just yet, although he will likely feature at least some minutes.

If Adam Armstrong is preferred, it will be a big opportunity for him to show the home support that he can do what the man he replaced this summer could, particularly against the side that took Ings.

Here’s how we think manager Ralph Hasenhuttl will line Saints up:

Goalkeeper

Alex McCarthy has started every Premier League game and will retain his shirt once more.

Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has played every minute of the Premier League campaign (Pic: Stuart Martin)

Defenders

I expect an unchanged defence from the team that beat Watford. That means Tino Livramento will remain at right-back, with Jan Bednarek and the impressive Mohammed Salisu as a central pairing. Kyle Walker-Peters was superb at left-back and looks to be learning that position like his own.

Kyle Walker-Peters has been impressive at left-back after Tino Livramento's emergence (Pic: Stuart Martin)

Midfielders

Skipper James Ward-Prowse will get another start alongside mainstay Oriol Romeu at the heart of the Saints midfield. If Ings does play, there’s no doubt the combative Spaniard will look to leave one on him.

Only one change to the midfield would see Stuart Armstrong making his first start of the Premier League campaign after a big calf injury ruled him out from August to the end of October, with Moi Elyounoussi keeping his position on the left.

Stuart Armstrong started against Chelsea in the EFL Cup last Tuesday (Pic: PA)

Attackers

Che Adams looks set to keep his place at striker after hitting two in two, and will want to add another to show supporters that he can consistently score at the highest level. With Armando Broja coming back to fitness, there’s no reason for Adam Armstrong to not get another start.

He has linked up really well with the Scot and if he could add the finishing touches he’d probably have a few goals to add to his assists by now. He hasn’t scored since the opening day but if he keeps getting into the positions, something has to give.

Che Adams will be high in confidence after his last two outings (Pic: PA)

Full predicted team

Southampton FC predicted team vs Aston Villa in Premier League