Image source, Getty ImagesJhon Duran has scored six goals from outside the box since the start of last season, only Phil Foden (8) has netted more among Premier League players in all competitions in that time.
He scored his 10th Premier League goal on his 50th appearance in the competition, netting his second goal from just four starts, having also scored against Man City in April.
Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?
Have your say on Aston Villa’s performance
What did you make of Southampton’s display?
Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies
Four matches make up Saturday's Premier League action after the postponement of the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool because of adverse weather conditions, and we will bring you every moment.
Aston Villa v Southampton
Brentford v Newcastle
Crystal Palace v Manchester City - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Manchester United v Nottingham Forest - 17:30 - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated
Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesAston Villa may have ended their winless run but they must finish the year strongly to maintain their European hopes.
Wednesday's victory over Brentford ended an eight-match wait for a victory to at least keep them in touching distance of the top five.
In a condensed league Villa could easily slip further into mid-table with another poor run and a return to the Champions League already looks beyond them this season.
Naturally the visit of bottom side Southampton on Saturday will be viewed as an opportunity for another three points before Villa travel to RB Leipzig on Tuesday.
They then face Nottingham Forest, Manchester City, Newcastle and Brighton knowing a strong finish to the year will keep them in European contention.
Any struggles against those sides and they will lose vital ground in the race for the Europa League and Europa Conference League places.
But the schedule is taking its toll, Unai Emery conceding he is unlikely to be able to name an unchanged side against the Saints
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.
For week 15 he takes on Dougie Payne, bassist with rock band Travis.
Sutton's prediction: 2-0
Aston Villa bounced back well against Brentford in midweek, while Southampton paid the price for some calamitous goalkeeping against Chelsea, although the size of their defeat was not just down to that.
Whenever promoted sides do not start the season well, it is easy for them to lose confidence that they can compete at this level and that seems to be a bit of an issue for Southampton when I watch them.
Goalkeeper Joe Lumley was not alone in making mistakes against Chelsea and I just think Villa will be too strong for them.
Credit to Villa keeper Emi Martinez for facing the Bees despite a broken finger. If he plays again here, I reckon he will keep a clean sheet.
Payne's prediction: 2-1
I watched Villa lose at Chelsea last week and they looked knackered. It feels reminiscent of what happened to Newcastle when they were in the Champions League last season. I still don't see Southampton getting anything out of this, though.
Image source, Getty ImagesAston Villa boss Unai Emery says he will delay selecting his starting XI until the hours before Saturday's visit of Southampton as he struggles to confirm which players he will have available.
Amadou Onana could be involved as he recovers from a foot injury, while fellow midfielder Jacob Ramsey will not return before Christmas.
"It is being very difficult because we play matches every three days," Emery said.
"Some are doubts, some had pain and some are tired. We are going to train now. I think until tomorrow [Saturday] morning, only then it will be clear who will start the match."
Victory over Brentford on Wednesday ended an eight-match winless run for Villa but Emery is prepared to have to change his line-up with five games still to play in December.
"It has been impossible at the moment, because there are players playing a lot of matches, and they are coming with some injuries, some small pains, getting tired," he added.
"But, for me, it's not the most important thing to try to be consistent with the starting XI players.
"I want players knowing tactically and performing tactically and individually, with their quality, always getting the level we want. I have to use two players for each position, trying to compete and trying to be ready to play."
One player who will be available and has regained his place from the start of late after a difficult September and October is captain John McGinn, who Emery singled out for praise in his news conference.
"He [McGinn] is a very important player for us," the Spaniard said. "And when he is not fit - he started the season a little bit lower than normal - we were struggling a bit. He is a versatile player, and he is very consistent.
"He is important, and the challenge is to keep this consistency. His versatility is very, very important. The characteristics he has are very important."
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Southampton (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On team news, Emery said: "Some are doubts. Some had pain yesterday and some are tired. We are going to train now this afternoon. Tomorrow morning, only then it will be clear who will start the match. Jacob Ramsey is still weeks to come back - he is progressing well. [Amadou] Onana is close to coming back - maybe today he can do something with us. I don't know whether he will be with us. Maybe Tuesday is easier."
He spoke about the challenges of naming a consistent starting XI: "It has been impossible at the moment because they are players playing a lot of matches and they are coming with some injuries, some with small pains, getting tired. For me, it's not the most important [thing] to try to be consistent with the starting players. I want players knowing tactically and performing tactically and individually with their quality, always getting the level we want."
On the importance of their 3-1 win over Brentford on Wednesday: "For the supporters, the players, the team - working with the coaches and everybody - it was very important. We are focusing [on the] Premier League - the most important competition. Of course, to be consistent there is our challenge."
On John McGinn: "He is important. He is in good form and the challenge is to keep this consistency. His personality is very, very important."
When asked about Saints boss Russell Martin, Emery said: "I appreciate a lot some teams and young coaches and how they are being brave and showing different ways. One of them is Russell Martin."
Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news.
Image source, Getty ImagesAston Villa are unbeaten in all 11 of their Premier League games against promoted sides under Unai Emery (W9 D2), winning five of their six at home under the Spaniard (D1).
Image source, PA MediaWe asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Premier League game between Aston Villa and Brentford.
Here are some of your comments:
Aston Villa fans
Conor: Much more like it. Quick and precise in attack, especially in the first half, and much more assured defensively despite conceding. Happy to see Mings back leading the defence. Kamara was running the show in the middle with Rogers and Watkins looking much more confident. Duran caused issues off the bench too. Hopefully we can carry this onto Saturday for another win.
John: The first decent performance in a while, which should give confidence before facing Southampton. Let's hope that this particular corner has been turned.
Henry: I thought Villa dominated the whole game. Mings was solid at the back and Duran had some amazing opportunities. We were unlucky to concede the consolation goal as it came from nowhere.
Ian: Well that was more like it. A much better performance all round. Rogers and Watkins were much sharper, it was better from Bailey and Mings was outstanding at the back. We should have scored more but the three points will hopefully give them the confidence to push on. It is important to get another win on Saturday. We still need to strengthen in the wide areas in January.
Brentford fans
George: Though we would be right to feel a tad hard done by with that harsh penalty decision and a third goal with a clear offside, it doesn't take much maths to work out that if you only have one shot on target, you will only get one goal. A much more convincing second half but one that still lacked the cutting edge we have yet to find on the road.
Paul: Thought we were poor. Second half slightly better than first, but I don't quite understand Thomas Frank and his substitutions. Lewis-Potter was the best outfield player, yet he was subbed for a defender? Very strange, and at 3-0 down he put Thiago on for the whole of the second half. We need to get some proper full-backs not makeshift ones.
Gary Lineker presents highlights and analysis from eight midweek Premier League fixtures.
If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.
Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesAston Villa had not triumphed in any of their previous eight games in all competitions going into Wednesday's match against Brentford, but there was only going to be one winner once Morgan Rogers had curled Unai Emery's side ahead midway through the first half.
The 22-year-old's fourth league goal of the campaign settled the hosts' nerves, and the home fans did not have long to wait until Ollie Watkins doubled Villa's advantage from the penalty spot.
Matty Cash's first strike of the campaign put Emery's team firmly in the driving seat before Mikkel Damsgaard pulled one back for the visitors - but there was to be no repeat of last season's 3-3 draw between the teams.
Indeed, Brentford had Mark Flekken to thank for keeping Villa at bay in the second half, twice denying Watkins and Jhon Duran as the hosts ended the match with 20 attempts - their most in a league game this season.
The victory moves Emery's team up to seventh in the Premier League table, with beleaguered Southampton visiting Villa Park on Saturday.
Image source, PA MediaAston Villa manager Unai Emery, speaking to Match of the Day after the 3-1 win over Brentford: "Scoring like [Morgan Rogers] did was fantastic, because this is the way to get confidence again.
"We did very well over 90 minutes, particularly in the first 30 minutes when we scored three goals. But it was not a moment to relax for us, because we drew 3-3 against them last season.
"The defence did a fantastic job. Tyrone Mings cleared some very good balls in the box. It was his first game in the Premier League in a long time, so it was very important.
"The team has to try to get a very good feeling again here at home, a fortress."
Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?
Have your say on Aston Villa's performance, external
What did you make of Brentford's display?, external
Come back to this page on Thursday to find a selection of your replies
Six matches make up Wednesday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.
Manchester City v Nottingham Forest
Everton v Wolves
Newcastle v Liverpool - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Southampton v Chelsea
Arsenal v Manchester United (20:15 GMT) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Aston Villa v Brentford (20:15 GMT)
All kick-off times are 19:30 GMT unless stated. Commentary of all six games available on the BBC Sport website and app.
Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesUnai Emery’s answer was unusually pointed.
What went wrong for his team in Sunday’s defeat at Stamford Bridge? "Chelsea."
It is entirely reasonable for a coach not to pull apart his team’s performance in public straight after a match – if he doesn’t stand up for his team, who will? – and his players have served him well enough to deserve backing in a tougher spell.
It is also reasonable though, to ask if there is something else behind Villa’s sudden loss of form.
"We had our chances but we didn’t score," said Emery at slightly little greater length. "I worry when we are not creating chances, but today we created. Of course, in 90 minutes here, if you’re not scoring, they are controlling the match. We have to accept it, because it’s Chelsea, so we keep going."
There’s something to that – Chelsea really are better this season, and a much more serious challenger for the fourth place Villa earned last season. But Villa have been defensively careless for a while, at the same time as opponents are finding ways to blunt their attacking ability – and here Emery made a useful point about them no longer being a surprise.
The obvious diagnosis is that Champions League fixtures are putting a pressure on the squad that they are struggling to bear, but both Emery and his captain John McGinn said they did not agree.
"We had a more difficult turnaround last season," said McGinn. "The Conference League games - Thursday to Sunday - are much more difficult to recover from. It is an easy excuse, but not one we want to use."
Not taking that excuse is a noble sentiment, but it may still be reason for their relative decline. This week may tell us much more than last – two home games that ought to be winnable for a club aspiring to a high finish, although Brentford have shown repeatedly that they are dangerously full of goals.
The league table is packed tightly enough for two wins to make a substantial difference to Villa’s position - and their mood.
Listen to full commentary of Aston Villa v Brentford tonight at 20:15 GMT on BBC Radio WM
Tune into The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknights
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.
For week 14 he takes on James Ryan, bassist with rock band The Slow Readers Club.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
Brentford's away form is awful but they are still fearless wherever they go and they have got plenty of goals in them - Kevin Schade was such a smooth operator to put his chances away against Leicester on Saturday.
The Bees are the last team you want to play when you are leaking goals the way Aston Villa are.
Villa's form is desperate and they are a bit like Manchester City in that they need a result to go for them to turn the tide.
There is no pressure on boss Unai Emery whatsoever but he does need a win to get his side heading in the right direction.
Maybe this is when it happens. I am going to say Ollie Watkins will come up trumps against his old team and get Villa going again.
Ryan's prediction: 2-2
I struggled with this one. Villa are not doing great but they do potentially have a great performance in them, whereas Brentford are very up and down. There are going to be a few goals here whatever happens, though.
Image source, Getty ImagesBrentford have never won an away league game against Aston Villa (drawing six, losing three), with the Bees only facing Stoke (14) and Halifax Town (11) more often on the road without winning in their league history.
The Bees have won more points in Premier League home games than any other side this season (19) - however, no team have won fewer points on the road than their one (level with bottom side Southampton).
