RALPH Hasenhuttl admitted it was “not the game” for Juan Larios, who made his Premier League debut during the 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa.

The 18-year-old left-back signed for Saints from Manchester City on deadline day, joining fellow academy stars Romeo Lavia, Gavin Bazunu and Samuel Edozie.

After Edozie, 19, made his debut as a substitute during the 1-0 loss at Wolves two weeks ago, Hasenhuttl introduced Spanish youth international Larios at half-time at Villa Park.

The youngster joined a game in which Jacob Ramsey had scored the only goal just before the interval, but he was unable to make a real impact as the visitors registered just one shot on target.

And speaking to the Daily Echo after the match, Hasenhuttl said: “It was not the ideal game for him to come in but I hoped to get some footballing qualities from him because on the ball he is a decent player.”

The Austrian added: “I think it was not the game for a player like him but he was still there and fighting for everything.

“Physically he is not the tallest one and you can see this in some of the aerial duels. But the rest was okay.”

Larios was one of 10 summer signings and the eighth to make their Saints debut – with Mateusz Lis now out on loan and Duje Caleta-Car still awaiting his first chance.

A youth league winner with City, Larios’ deal to join Saints also includes a buy-back clause with the English champions, Pep Guardiola has confirmed.

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