Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Premier League clash between Aston Villa and Southampton, kick off at 3pm UK time.

And a small stoppage while the Southampton defender receives attention. He should be fine to continue.

WHACK! Lovren is in a spot of bother after taking a thump to the face.

Earlier this season, Villa beat Southampton 3-2 in an entertaining clash at St Mary's.

Davis attempts to spark another Southampton attack. The offside flag stops him.

Dejan Lovren dives in to halt an Agbonlahor charge.

Southampton are ridiculously comfoirtable in possession, although they are being aided by Villa's willingness to drop deep.

The Villa Park faithful respond, unleashing a huge roar to spur their side to greater things.

Andreas Weimann tries to play a quick one-two with Gabriel Agbonlahor but it doesn't quite come off.

A quick reminder of a turbalent week in Paul Lambert's reign.

More Southampton possession.

It's taken them 350 seconds, but Villa have finally strung three passes together in the opposition half.

LAMBERT MISSES AGAIN! Steven Davis picks out Lambert, but the striker diverts the ball the wrong side of the post.

The visitors continue to boss the game. Morgan Schneiderlin looking particularly lively in the middle.

Shaw bombs down the left flank and pings a cross into Lambert... Brad Guzan saves!

Southampton enjoying the early play. Big chance for Rickie Lambert to stake his claim for a place in Roy Hodgson's England squad.

We're up and running at Villa Park!

FACT! Aston Villa have conceded just six goals in their last 12 home league games against Southampton, and never more than one in a game in this run.

Mauricio Pochettino: "Against Cardiff we did everything required to win on that day but it just didn’t happen for us. We tried everything that we could to get a good result from that game, and it just wasn’t to be for us. Against Aston Villa it will be the same story, we will go out ready and hoping to win or get a good result against them."

Paul Lambert is under pressure and recently saw his two assistants suspended during a club investigation over allegations of bullying: "My whole intention is to be here next year and the year after that, but everyone knows what football is like. Randy is the owner. It's his club and he can do what he wants with it, but we have a good relationship. I love it here. I never came here for the club to be where it is. This club should never be in the position it has been for the past four years."

Artur Boruc has beaten his back injury in time. The Poland shot-stopper's return offsets the continued absence of fellow goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, also with back trouble. Gazzaniga drops to the bench. James Ward-Prowse gets a start with Adam Lallana playing a more advanced role. Jay Rodriguez (knee), Maya Yoshida (knee) and Gaston Ramirez (ankle) also miss out on the Villa Park clash.

Leandro Bacuna is back in the Villa team. The Dutchman, who can play at full-back or in midfield, missed the defeat to Crystal Palace with a hamstring strain but is back in contention to face the Saints. Otherwise, Paul Lambert is choosing from the same squad with Christian Benteke, Libor Kozak, Charles N'Zogbia, Jores Okore, Nicklas Helenius and Gary Gardner all long-term absentees.