The final whistle blows! Villa made a vast improvement on their poor first-half display and were the better side after the break but did not exactly carve out many clear chances either. Southampton take all three points thanks to Adam Armstrong's early goal while Villa are left contemplating a fifth consecutive defeat.

Southampton fans let out a huge sigh as seven minutes of added time are given. A boost for Villa's bid for a late equalier.

89min: Villa are really pushing for an equaliser and after another siege in Southampton's area the ball drops to Matty Cash but he completely misses the ball with his weaker foot

85min: Ollie Watkins goes close for Villa with a low shot wide of the post and into the side netting. The striker has had a few wayward attempts tonight.

80min: Adam Armstrong receives a rapturous reception as he makes way for Armando Broja. His goal looks like it might be enough to give Saints all three points.

Dean Smith makes his final substitution, bringing on Keinan Davis for El Ghazi, who comes off to a smattering of boos from the home side, who have not forgotten that he was fortunate not to be sent off in the first half.

Mohamed Elyounoussi is taken off by Hasenhuttl and Ibrahima Diallo is on

Emi Buendia comes off after failing to influence the game and he is replaced by 19-year-old forward Cameron Archer

66min: What a save from Martinez! The Argentine has to dive backwards to get to Che Adams' header and tip it over the bar. That's been the best save of the game so far. Southampton showing they can still cause danger even though Villa have been on the front foot since the second half began

63min: Jacob Ramsey comes off for the visitors and Marvelous Nakamba comes on

62min: Oriol Romeu goes in the book for a foul, giving Villa a good position from a free-kick. But Leon Bailey sends the ball straight into the stand behind the goal.

50min: Villa bomb forward again, with Ollie Watkins getting down the left wing after a giveaway from James Ward-Prowse. Watkins works the ball to Emi Buendia but the Argentine can't get his shot on target following some tight marking from Oriol Romeu.

49min: El Ghazi thumps a shot at goal and Alex McCarthy reacts quickly to tip it over for a corner. This has been much better from Villa.

46min: We're back underway at St Mary's.

The hosts have been utterly dominant but have only one goal to show for it, Adam Armstrong's third-minute piledriver. Villa must be relieved to get into the dressing room only one goal down and they have a lot to do to prevent a fifth straight league defeat.

Oriol Romeu almost doubles the hosts' lead with a powerful effort which goes just above the bar. Southampton really deserve to have at least one more goal as half-time approaches. 

34min: James Ward-Prowse with a rasping drive from the edge of the box which forces Emi Martinez to fly across goal and turn the shot around for a corner.

26min: El Ghazi carves out a good chance for the visitors with a marauding run from the left wing but he can't keep his shot down and sends the ball way over the bar. Imagine how Southampton would have felt had he scored, so soon after being fortunate to not be shown a second yellow card.

24min: Anwar El Ghazi is fortunate to stay on the pitch after grabbing Tino Livramento around the neck. A foul is awarded against the Dutchman but he escapes a booking, which is a good thing as he has already picked up a yellow card.

23min: Southampton are overpowering Villa all over the park. The hosts are dominating and always looking to attack and whenever Dean Smith's side do get hold of the ball it's quickly won back, to the delight of the home crowd.

That was Adam Armstrong's first goal since netting against Everton on the opening day of the season and his first strike at St Mary's this campaign. And what a way to open his account at home.

Take a look at Adam Armstrong's unstoppable strike here

9min: Stuart Armstrong has a great chance to double Saints' lead as the ball drops to him while unmarked in the area following some haphazard Villa defending from a corner. But the striker somehow lifts the ball over the bar despite having loads of time to pick his shot.

6min: Villa respond well and carve out two half chances to equalise. First John McGinn lets fly from outside the box and his shot goes just over the bar. Then Emi Buendia catches sight of goal from the edge of the area but his shot is comfortably saved by Alex McCarthy in the Saints goal.

3min: Southampton off to a dream start! Adam Armstrong fires the Saints ahead with a thumping volley from just outside the area.

We're underway at St Mary's. A huge night for Villa and particularly Dean Smith although as Hasenhuttl said, all managers are under pressure and the Saints will be just as determined to get the win.

The Austrian also confirmed Nathan Redmond is out after testing positive for Covid but he insisted the forward was feeling ok and would return once he tested negative for the virus.

He also backed Stuart Armstrong, who is taking Redmond's place in the team.

'He's a different kind of player hopefully he can keep on showing what he's been doing in the Cup and give us the level we need from him,' he said.

Southampton coach Ralph Hasenhuttl believes the team's defensive solidity has been key to their upturn in form.

'Not conceding that many goals in the last three games, scoring a few, it's a good mixture getting us points but it's always tough and it will be tough today,' he told Sky Sports.

Smith is naturally concerned about the team's poor defensive record. They have let in 19 goals this season - including 12 in their last four matches - and he wants to see his side go back to their roots.

'Our identity has always been about being hard to beat without turning down chances to attack and we need to get back to that,' added the Villa coach.

Dean Smith says the team are still optimistic despite their dismal run of form and believes their displays have deserved better.

'The mood is determined. We've been disappointed with the results, not the performances but we're in a results based industry,' the Villa coach told Sky Sports.

'But the players can turn our fortunes around.'

Paul Merson believes Villa's scattergun approach in the transfer market this summer is one of the reasons behind their current struggles.

Speaking as a pundit on Sky Sports' coverage of the game, Merson said the club went 'bang bang bang' after selling Jack Grealish without thinking about how to build a proper team.

Here's what Dean Smith had to say ahead of the game. The coach isn't pushing the panic button just yet

Sportsmail's Tom Collomosse took a look at what has been going wrong for Villa in recent weeks. John Terry's departure as assistant coach has had a negative impact on the team's defence, while Emi Buendia has really struggled to fill the void left by Jack Grealish. The club also had a rocky pre-season campaign and have struggled with injuries too.

And here is the Villa team. Mings does indeed return in place of Konsa and the England international will wear the captain's armband too. 

Southampton have just announced their line-up. Adam Armstrong keeps his place up front with Che Adams as Armando Broja only makes the bench after recovering from an ankle injury sustained following last month's 2-2 draw with Burnley.

Villa will also be without Ezri Konsa after the defender was sent off against West Ham. His absence could see Tyrone Mings recalled to the starting line-up after being benched for the West Ham game before being called upon following Konsa's dismissal.

The teams are out soon but what seems certain is Villa will be without Danny Ings, who will miss the chance to face his old club.

Ings scored 41 goals in 101 Premier League appearances for Saints before moving to Villa Park for £25million, where he has managed three goals in nine matches.

But he picked up a soft tissue injury which led to him missing the 4-1 defeat at home to West Ham last week and he is still sidelined with the problem.

Southampton are the form team heading into the game, with Ralph Hasenhuttl's sde unbeaten in their last three matches and feeling confident after winning 1-0 at Watford last week.

It's a very different story for Villa, who have lost their last four league games, conceding 12 goals in the process.

Good evening and welcome to Sportsmail's live coverage of Southampton vs Aston Villa in the Premier League.