Vassell scores two to put Villa in front

Aston Villa 2, Southampton 0 (half-time)

Darius Vassell’s two goal blast put Aston Villa in control of their Premiership encounter with Southampton at Villa Park.

Villa were playing the more constructive football and Gareth Barry, in front of England Under-21 coach David Platt, was only just off target with a header from a first time cross by Delaney.

Crouch then should have done better when he fired over from eight yards out after a scramble following a long throw by Delaney.

Southampton were playing their part in an open game and it needed a great block by Delaney to deny Fernandes after he had found himself clear in the area.

But Villa were soon back on the offensive and a Steve Stone effort was deflected wide after Crouch had headed a centre from Barry back across goal.

Then Moss got down to hold onto a fiercely struck low volley from Hitzlsperger some 25 yards out.

Three minutes before the interval Vassell struck for the second time with another superb finish.

A raking crossfield pass from Barry picked out Vassell who had the confidence to hit a low first time shot across Moss from the edge of the area into the corner of the net.