Aston Villa vs. Southampton: Score, Grades and Reaction from Premier League Game

Nathaniel Clyne scored a late equaliser to rescue a point for Southampton in a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa on Monday night in the Premier League.

Villa led through Gabriel Agbonlahor's opportunistic opener in the first half, but Southampton drew level nine minutes from time as Clyne emphatically finished Ryan Bertrand's cross.

With the draw, Southampton remain in second place with 26 points through 12 matches, maintaining the Saints' fine start to the season. But Ronald Koeman's side now trail leaders Chelsea by six points and lead third-placed Manchester City by only two.

Southampton's early success has been built in large part on the Premier League's best defence, as the Saints conceded only five goals in 11 matches before Monday. After allowing just one goal Monday, that strong record remains intact.

True to form, Southampton dominated possession in the early stages, hoping to find a way through Aston Villa's defence. Clear chances were scarce for the visitors, however, and instead Villa went ahead following a Southampton miscue in the 29th minute.

There seemed to be little danger as a clearance fluttered out of Villa's half and bounced lazily in the direction of the visitors' box.

But as Agbonlahor chased, Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster hesitated momentarily before coming off his line and outside the box to clear. Taking advantage, Agbonlahor stole past Forster with his first touch before slotting in his finish past the sliding Toby Alderweireld.

Southampton promptly set out in search of an equaliser and nearly found it in the 37th minute. Saints winger Dusan Tadic slid a pass across the edge of the box to Sadio Mane, who curled his shot toward the back post. But Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan made a fine save to preserve his side's lead heading into half-time.

Chances remained rare for Southampton as Aston Villa defended their slim lead in numbers. In the 67th minute, Victor Wanyama shot well off target, and seven minutes later, Tasic curled a free-kick straight at Guzan, who punched clear.

At the other end, Villa had a chance to seal victory in the 78th minute. Andreas Weimann led a blistering counter down the middle and sliced open Southampton's chasing defence with a pass to Agbonlahor on the right. Agbonlahor pulled back into the middle for Weimann, who blazed his shot way over the target.

It turned out to be a costly miss. In the 81st minute, Southampton finally broke through. Bertrand was the catalyst, playing a one-two pass on the left before dragging a low cross through Villa's box.

Making a late run on goal from his right-back spot, Clyne smashed a first-time shot past Guzan for the equaliser.

Neither team could find a winner, so Southampton and Villa had to settle for one point apiece.

The forthcoming fixture list will be a further test to Southampton's credentials. Up next is a home date with champions Manchester City, followed by matches against top-four hopefuls Arsenal (away) and Manchester United (home).

For Villa, the next few weeks are perhaps just as crucial. Paul Lambert's side have not won in the league since beating Liverpool at Anfield on Sept. 13 and have recently slipped into the relegation fight, just one point above the drop zone before kick-off.

Now with 12 points from 12 matches, Villa will try to put distance between themselves and the relegation places with matches against fellow strugglers Burnley, Crystal Palace, Leicester City and West Brom all upcoming.

Grades

Starting XI	Rating
Substitutes	Rating
Brad Guzan	7.0
Alan Hutton	7.2
Jores Okore	6.4
Ciaran Clark	7.5
Aly Cissokho	6.3
Tom Cleverley	6.6
Ashley Westwood	6.7
Carlos Sanchez	6.9
Charles N'Zogbia	6.1
Gabriel Agbonlahor	7.2
Andreas Weimann	6.5
Kieran Richardson (for N'Zogbia, 64')	6.0
Darren Bent (for Sanchez, 74')	5.9

Starting XI	Rating
Substitutes	Rating
Fraser Forster	4.9
Nathaniel Clyne	7.7
Jose Fonte	7.5
Toby Alderweireld	7.0
Ryan Bertrand	7.0
Victor Wanyama	6.8
Morgan Schneiderlin	7.2
Dusan Tadic	7.3
Shane Long	6.4
Sadio Mane	6.1
Graziano Pelle	6.2
Emmanuel Mayuka (for Mane, 79')	6.1
Jack Cork (for Long, 89')	No rating

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