Aston Villa 1-0 Southampton: Jhon Duran’s winner secures second win on the bounce for Villa who are catapulted up to fifth in the table as Saints misery goes on

Jhon Duran marked his first Premier League start of the campaign with the winning goal and more importantly showed his Aston Villa manager Unai Emery that he can be trusted.

Duran has made his frustration clear at being used as a super sub behind Ollie Watkins but in 60 mile-an-hour winds, made the most of a rare opportunity with the England forward rested for Tuesday’s Champions League tie in Leipzig.

The 20-year-old Colombian showed the full range of his capabilities in his decisive strike midway through the first half.

When Saints defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis miscontrolled a long pass by Diego Carlos, Duran’s tenacity won the ball. He then stretched his legs to outpace Nathan Wood and with only Joe Lumley to beat, finished comprehensively from 12 yards.

It was Duran’s ninth goal of the season but his first since late October in the EFL Cup against Crystal Palace – which was also his last start.

Emery enthused about his young protégé: ‘It was fantastic the way he helped us today with everything, scoring goals and working.

Jhon Duran slotted the ball past Southampton keeper Joe Lumley for the only goal of the match

The Colombia forward enjoyed making a point on his first Premier League start of the season

Unai Emery rotated his side with one eye on Tuesday’s Champions League game against Leipzig, and his gamble paid off

‘We are very demanding with him and he does listen. We have to stop his passion sometimes but that’s natural because he is young.

‘He wants everything to happen quickly but he needs a process, sometimes faster, and slower.

‘Yes, he scored but the most important thing today and what I am most pleased about was his work. We are happy for him.’

Villa should have added more goals but against a Southampton team bottom of the league, one was always going to be enough.

The visitors didn’t have a save to make and even their manager Russell Martin appears to be losing patience given his side only have five points on the board.

‘It’s madness really. The fine lines hurt us so much, it is the same thing happening,’ he said.

‘The goal we conceded can’t happen. You either pass the ball to a team-mate or defend and clear it. We did neither. It’s been difficult to deal with.’

Once behind, Saints rarely looked like getting on level terms with their ex-Villa forward Cameron Archer closest when his shot was blocked by Boubacar Kamara. They didn’t have a shot on target.

It’s more misery for Saints boss Russell Martin whose side played well but without much threat

Southampton looked better after bringing on Joe Aribo and James Bree (left) at half time

Ollie Watkins came off the bench but wasn’t able to get on the scoresheet as Villa saw out a narrow win

Villa in contrast could have added more. Pau Torres headed over from a Ross Barkley corner, Morgan Rogers fired in a low cross that went begging and Watkins spurned a hat-trick of opportunities after he’d come on.

On one occasion, he squared to Barkley rather than having a shot himself which indicated where his confidence is at the moment.

Equally, Southampton’s confidence is rock bottom but Martin still doesn’t want to be too harsh with his players.

‘The guys are trying, giving everything. That’s all we can ask for,’ he said.

‘The is a lack of conviction and the quality of decision making in the final third is not quite there and it was a poor goal to concede.’

One downside for Villa, who have now climbed into a European spot after their second home win in a week, was winger Leon Bailey limping out with a hamstring injury that rules him out of the Champions League this week.