Jacob Ramsey sinks Southampton to earn Aston Villa’s second win of season

Even the five minutes of second-half stoppage time was met with a communal groan. Aston Villa did not exactly blow Southampton away but for Steven Gerrard, who spent the closing stages biting his fingernails, this was a victory and a welcome clean sheet that will have done wonders. After earning a point last time out against Manchester City, Jacob Ramsey’s first-half strike was sufficient to earn Villa’s second league win of the season and victory over a subpar Southampton, who will want to forget this game in a hurry. John McGinn’s impromptu wrestling match with Moussa Djenepo 10 minutes from time was a highlight in a desperate and, at times, comical game but the moment of the match arguably arrived in the 70th minute when supporters from all sides ventured into a chorus of God Save the Queen.

Ralph Hasenhüttl had actually talked up his love for this stadium and the emotions it evokes as a traditional ground and before kick-off Villa Park basked in all its glory. Hasenhüttl, in a dark three-piece suit, and Gerrard, wearing a claret and blue tie, led their teams out of the tunnel, both of whom joined their players by donning black armbands in respect of Queen Elizabeth, before the lights dimmed and they stood on the edge of the centre circle for an impeccable minute’s silence and the national anthem. The odd mobile phone light illuminated the pristine pitch.

The first-half fare did not live up to much, with groans filling the air as Villa’s crosses failed to beat the first man but they struck four minutes before the interval through Ramsey. The goal stemmed from the game’s first effort on target, when Philippe Coutinho’s tame downward header at the back post was kept out by Gavin Bazunu. The Southampton goalkeeper was