What a disappointment. They had Coutinho, we didn't and that was the difference between two teams who, on this performance, look destined to struggle. The Saints performance began badly with Bazanu uncharacteristically hoofing the ball straight to Martinez on four occasions, effectively stifling our play. As the game went on Salisu made his all too regular error of not playing out quickly and was nearly caught in possession. He then continually asked our players to come towards him whenever he was required to take, presumably, long throws. What was that all about? Why wasn't it sorted out on the training ground? If any player should've been subbed it was JWP. His total lack of leadership, negative play - passing backwards, even when we were running out of time and poor crosses by his usual standards, seemed to me to contribute massively to our blunt attack. It was soon obvious that Adams couldn't outjump the Villa defence but, all the balls went in high (training ground again). Djenepo showed why he received a new contract, Elyonnoussi showed why he shouldn't be given one and should've been off much earlier. I thought Larios showed massive promise in his cameo but, his name doesn't feature above but, I would've given him 7 - my highest score yesterday. There is undoubted huge talent in our squad but, if this was the best Ralph could get out of them then his days are certainly numbered. Please sign a proper target man in January - Wolves have got Diego Costa on a short-term contract. What a difference someone like that would make!

8

The relief that the trains were running quickly evaporated into the chilly night air with the realisation that although thousands had turned up and millions tuned in to watch, no one turned up to play!
This was an awful game between two teams more concerned with not losing than actually trying to win and we were by far the worst. Not a single Saints player deserved more than a five, with most on a four or even some a three. Ely and Diallo were dreadful, I'm sure JWP thought we were kicking the other way and Kotchap, after his call up, played like he thought he's made it already. KWP had probably his worst ever game for us and Bazunu seemed to be affected by the malaise in front of him. We were second to most balls, getting in each others way and Che even managed to make Mings look good. This is a very young team and may at times, tonight being one of them, need a lot more guidance than they are currently getting, on the pitch especially. The only other thing that concerns me a bit is why we have some of our best players on the bench? It may give us a stronger team second half but is not too helpful if we are already losing!

11

Dire, negative football. Heat maps will show we shrank from the attacking third like vampires shrink from daylight. Some players (JWP and Che most prominently) just flat out ghosted us, while others (Elyounoussi, Walker-Peters, Djenepo) worked themselves into the ground somehow to everyone's detriment because they had nowhere to go. Villa weren't much better, but they accounted for themselves by clogging the midfield and winning every ball. I've been a Saints fan for over thirty years, and catch every game i can. But i made the wrong choice watching Saints today, and should've tuned in to Forest-Fulham!

8

Absolutely bloody awful. Move on and hope next time is better.

4

Yet again we came out of a game with moderate Midlands opposition with no points, yet only having conceded twice. Team performance overall was poor - biggest concern though is creating chances and getting goals. Stu Armstrong ought to start as he is one of the few that can link midfield and attack effectively. Only positive was a chance for Larios to get a run out.

7

Midfield 1 - No midfield at all 0

Elyounoussi, you must be joking Ralph...... and blaming it on the players not being good enough, there are flights to Austria, get on one!

2

Halftimeorange got it right word for word what l would of said perfect review.

2

It's a pity Larios doesn't feature in the ratings. I thought he was the one positive to come out of the evening.
Although i was alarmed when i saw him warming up at the start. He's knee high to a grasshopper and looks like a schoolboy.

1

Awful game, my lowest player ratings for some time, Ralph absolutely shellshocked in the post match interview. If we don't get something out of next home game against Everton then it must be time for a change.

6

I have seen Saints get absolutely thrashed many times and I know we were always in with a chance of nicking a point in this game, but this was pretty depressing fare and literally the most boring game I can remember seeing Two painfully poor teams, only Coutinho stood out and maybe Mings. Bella-Kotchap was the best of a very bad bunch of Saints. Surely can't play as bad again....

5