BIRMINGHAM: Nathaniel Clyne’s late equaliser earned high-flying Southampton a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa on Monday, denying Paul Lambert a much-needed victory in his 100th match in charge of the Premier League strugglers.

England international Clyne’s rasping strike for second-placed Saints after 81 minutes left Villa still searching for their first win since Sept 13.

Gabriel Agbonlahor had opened the scoring after rounding the outrushing Fraser Forster in the 29th as Southampton looked far from their best.

The visitors dominated possession but failed to regularly test goalkeeper Brad Guzan, while Villa were left to rue Andi Weimann’s glaring miss on a counterattack in the 78th.

The point did at least lift Villa up to 16th while Ronald Koeman’s Southampton, who had risen to second on the back of eight wins from nine games, slipped six points behind leaders Chelsea, but still two points ahead of Manchester City after 12 matches.

“I didn’t come for one point but we didn’t create as many chances as we should have and we missed some fitness and some quality,” Koeman said. “Every game is a battle and tonight was difficult. We did not reach our level.”

Southampton now face a tough test of their credentials to mount a sustained challenge for a top four place with their next three games against City, on Sunday, then Arsenal and Manchester United.

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2014