Adam Armstrong's brilliant goal, his first since the opening weekend of the season, in the early moments was all that separated the two sides at St Mary's.
However, the strike brought up a brilliant stat about Armstrong's eye for goal. Since the start of last season, Armstrong and Ivan Toney are the only English players to have scored more than 30 league goals in England's top divisions (excluding play-offs).
Ralph Hasenhuttl's men were good value for the win as they threatened to run away with it in the first half with Stuart Armstrong blazing over from close range, while Emi Martinez made great saves to deny James Ward-Prowse and Che Adams.
Villa improved after the break but failed to carve out too many meaningful chances.
They got a bit of luck in the first half too with Anwar El Ghazi avoiding being sent off despite committing three offences that would normally be deemed worthy of yellow cards.
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