SAINTS boss Russell Martin enjoyed the aggression his side demonstrated against Lazio, adding: "I'd rather it didn't descend into what it did."

Charly Alcaraz and Alessio Romagnoli saw red cards in the second half after both sets of players had to be pulled apart during a fight.

Alcaraz also had a short scuffle with French midfielder Mattéo Guendouzi in the first half which went unpunished by the referee.

Southampton had taken the lead through Ben Brereton Diaz before Valentín Castellanos equalised with a stunning acrobatic goal.

READ MORE: Saints record pre-season draw against Lazio in match marked by on-field brawl

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Martin said: "Well, I think two people set it off. One of ours, one of theirs. 

"Then their guys enter the pitch and so do ours. Their guys want to protect their mate and ours want to protect his. 

"So no, I'm fine with that. I'd rather it didn't descend into what it did, but I like the fact we were aggressive tonight and we managed the game really well for a young team. 

"Physically, I thought we were really, really good. Last week against Oxford United, we lacked character, personality and aggression.

"Tonight we had loads of that, maybe a bit too much. But I'd rather the balance be that way than the other way."