Premier League news: Substitutes help Aston Villa to three points at relegated Southampton

Aston Villa beat basement boys Southampton 3-0 on Saturday, in the process becoming the first team in Premier League history to have three substitutes score in the same match.

Ollie Watkins, Donyell Malen, and John McGinn each hit the back of the net in the second half to see Unai Emery’s men home against a stubborn Saints team.

Next up for Villa is the deciding second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie with Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night.

Sports News Blitz writer Harrison Pearce looks at how the subs changed the game at St Mary’s and what it means for Villa ahead of the run-in.

Subs change the game for visitors

Villa were having a hard time breaking down a resolute Southampton defence when Emery introduced his first two substitutions midway through the second half.

Ollie Watkins – whose form has been patchy this season – promptly opened the scoring after a lovely ball over the top from Youri Tielemans, reminding everyone why he has been the starting striker for so many years.

The England international is now only two goals away from breaking Gabriel Agbonlahor’s Premier League goal-scoring record for the club.

And with PSG coming to town in midweek boasting a 3-1 aggregate lead, Watkins’ goal is sure to be giving Emery a selection headache.

Dutch winger Donyell Malen then grabbed the second goal when played through by Morgan Rogers.

The 25-year-old right-winger suddenly has three goals in three games and will be looking to start the next league game against Newcastle United.

Lastly, John McGinn got himself on the scoresheet late on, reacting quickest to knock in Marco Asensio’s parried penalty – the Spaniard’s second missed spot kick of the game.

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Emery’s selection dilemmas for PSG

There is a case to be made that Watkins should start ahead of Marcus Rashford on Tuesday because the former’s ability to press from the front causes defences so many problems.

Watkins also offers more to the team than just goals, so it will be interesting to see if Emery brings him in for the second leg.

Rashford, for his part, has been on a good run of form since getting his first goal against Preston North End.

However, when Watkins is benched, Villa tend to struggle to break down teams with low blocks such as Southampton – something Emery will want to avoid against PSG.

Sadly, although he is showing good form, Malen will definitely miss the clash with PSG as he was left out of the Champions League squad for the knockouts.

This is a decision that Emery will surely revisit in the summer, with there a strong argument that Malen should get into the squad ahead of someone like Leon Bailey, who hasn’t had the best of seasons.

McGinn, on the other hand, started against PSG in the first leg and is a certainty to feature from the off in the second leg as well.

The captain is a unique player in this Villa side, one who always provides intensity from the first minute and brings a much-needed energy to proceedings.

With that said, Belgian Amadou Onana was impressive against Southampton and could use his stature to outmuscle the PSG midfield with a sense of physicality that was missing from Emery and co. in the first leg.

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Race for Champions League continues

As things stand, there are five teams fighting for three Champions League spots – Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Villa – with only three points separating the lot.

After Newcastle managed a 4-1 win against Manchester United on Sunday, they sit in the driver’s seat to secure a spot in the top five.

The Magpies also have a game in hand over the rest.

Yet, as luck would have it, Villa’s next game sees them welcome Newcastle to Villa Park.

If Emery and his charges want Champions League football again next term, they will have to be at their absolute best in what is simply a must-win clash.

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