BIRMINGHAM, England (Reuters) -A first-half strike by Colombian forward Jhon Duran was enough to give Aston Villa all the three points as they beat Southampton 1-0 in the Premier League at home on Saturday.
Villa moved up to fifth place in the standings with 25 points from 15 matches, while Southampton remain bottom with five points.
Villa coach Unai Emery made four changes to the side that beat Brentford on Wednesday with striker Ollie Watkins, the club's leading scorer in the league this season with seven goals, on the bench.
Duran made the most of his first league start of the season when he opened the scoring in the 24th minute, chasing down a long ball, capitalising on some sloppy defending by Southampton defenders Nathan Wood and Taylor Harwood-Bellis, before charging into the box and powering a finish past goalkeeper Joe Lumley.
"Fantastic goal and the action, fighting in the duel with the centre back and how he beat him and scored with a great shot," Emery told Sky Sports.
The 20-year-old, who netted his fifth league goal of the campaign, came close to doubling Villa's lead moments later when left back Ian Maatsen's cut-back found him in space but his shot was blocked.
While the visitors dominated possession, they failed to register a single shot on target in the match, and their defensive woes continued to haunt them.
The promoted side have committed 10 errors leading to goals in the league this season, which is three more than any other team in the top five European leagues.
"We're two v one and we have a chance to clear the ball and we don't. It's another mistake. We forced them long and have a two v one and he (Duran) somehow comes out with the ball and scores," Southampton manager Russell Martin told Sky Sports.
"We pressed high and well. It was a fairly even game in terms of that but we need a bit more belief and conviction."
Having snapped their eight-match winless streak thanks to a 3-1 home league win over Brentford, Villa looked comfortable for the most part. But some poor decision-making meant that they failed to add to their tally.
Ross Barkley nearly extended Villa's lead in the closing minutes of the game, but the midfielder's close-range shot was blocked by Wood.
Villa were dealt with an injury blow to winger Leon Bailey, who was replaced in the 59th minute.
"I think he will be out, hopefully not a lot of weeks but Tuesday (Champions League away game against German side RB Leipzig) I don't think he will be available," Emery said.
"We have to try and use our other players and give them chances. It's a hamstring issue."
(Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru;Editing by Christian Radnedge)
