Paul Merson makes Southampton v Aston Villa prediction, shares honest opinion on Dean Smith

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Southampton and Aston Villa lock horns in the first Premier League game of matchday 11.

The Saints host the Villans at St Mary’s Stadium, with both sides currently in the lower reaches of the table.

Just one point separates 14th-placed Southampton from 15th-placed Villa, but their form couldn’t be more different.

While Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Saints are unbeaten in three league games, Dean Smith’s Villans have lost their last four.

Southampton can even sneak into the top half of the table with a decisive win, while Villa will be hoping to arrest their worrying slide.

Paul Merson, writing on Sportskeeda, has previewed the game and shared his results prediction.

“This is a massive game for Aston Villa – they have to win this match,” he wrote.

“They’ve had four defeats on the trot in the Premier League, and another defeat could be disastrous for the club.

“At the end of the day, the fans get you the sack. Villa fans are very unhappy at the moment, and Dean Smith now has a problem.

“I like Dean Smith, and I think he’s a good manager.

“I think they bought well after losing Jack Grealish, but Dean Smith isn’t sure where he wants to play the likes of Buendia, Ings, and Bailey.

“Ten games in, he doesn’t know what his best team is, and that’s a problem in the Premier League.

“Southampton tend to tick along, don’t they? They aren’t particularly great at the moment, but they do manage to get a result.

“This is one of those games that neither team can afford to lose, and I see both sides playing out a draw this weekend.”