BIRTHDAY BOY James Ward-Prowse celebrated his 26th birthday with a couple of sensational free-kicks as Saints made beating Villa look like a piece of cake.
Ralph Husenhattl’s side cruised into third place in the Premier League ahead of Spurs’ game against Brighton, with as convincing a victory as they could have wished for.
Ward-Prowse’s brilliant set-pieces set Southampton on the road to victory Credit: AFP
Ward-Prowse celebrates after hitting two free-kicks on his birthday.Credit: EPA
Southampton may resemble Peru in their natty new white strip with the red sash.
But this was just like watching Brazil as free kick specialist JWP produced a couple of belters Garrincha, Rivelino, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos or Pele himself would have been proud of.
The England midfielder couldn’t have asked for a better birthday present than passing Saints legend Matt Le Tissier’s record for free kick goals in the Premier League.
His second stunning dead-ball strike took Ward-Prowse’s tally to eight – one more than his hero and mentor.
Villa were up against it from the start but they must have thought their luck was in when Jannick Vestergard’s header from a Ward-Prowse corner flew off Ezri Konsa and into the net after three minutes – only for VAR to confirm Che Adams had strayed a fraction offside at the back post.
How wrong they were!
There was no stopping Ralph’s rampant Saints who took the lead after 20 minutes with a near replica of the goal that got away.
Ward-Prowse fired in a free kick at pace and Vestergaard met it full on to bullet an unstoppable header beyond the helpless Martinez.
The irrepressible Danny Ings also got in on the scoring act – before being forced off with a late knee injury Credit: Getty – Pool
Ralph Husenhattl’s team are in a good run of form, earning a draw at Chelsea and beating league leaders Everton before today’s winCredit: AP:Associated Press
The birthday boy then took centre stage with a fabulous couple of free kicks.
Douglas Luic fouled comeback Saint Theo Walcott on his return, 20 yards out and Ward-Prowse produced a perfect finish as he found the pace, power and precision to leave Martinez floundering despite his full-length dive.
The ex-Gunners goalie was gasping again on the stroke of half-time when Ward-Prowse beat him again to overtake Le Tiss.
Matty Cash threw up an arm to stop Che Adams’ cross reaching Theo Walcott – in truth Martinez probably wished the offence had taken place INSIDE his box.
Because the Argentine keeper probably felt he stood more chance of saving a penalty than a free kick with Ward-Prowse in this form.
Sure enough, the midfielder managed to somehow get enough power and dip to leave the baffled goalie grasping at thin air again.
In-form Danny Ings got in on the act, adding an equally stunning fourth goal with a dipping shot from 25 yards which crashed in off the underside of the Villa crossbar.
Tyrone Mings thought he had nabbed a consolation goal for Dean Smith’s shell-shocked side after 62 minutes when he soared to head home a Jack Grealish cross following a short corner.
Dean Smith’s side were 0-4 down at one stage, but managed to rally back Credit: Paul Marriott – The Sun
Jack Grealish got in on the scoring act late but ended up on the losing sideCredit: AFP
Instead it sparked an unexpected late Villa comeback.
Three minutes into stoppage time Villa were awarded a penalty when Saints’ sub Ibrahima Diallo carelessly tripped Grealish in the box.
Ollie Watkins strode forward to send McCarthy the wrong way to make it 4-2.
Incredibly, Villa found time to add a third, seven minutes into injury time as this crazy game came to a thrilling conclusion.
Grealish wandered in from the left and suddenly whipped in a right foot shot which left McCarthy looking sheepish as the ball sailed in at his near post to cut Saints lead to a single goal.
In truth they won this one by a country mile as they underlined why they are the Premier League’s away experts as they clocked up their NINTH win on the road since their 3-1 win here four days before Christmas.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
