FOOTBALL'S god of coincidence was at it again - Gordon Strachan facing Stuart Gray, the man he replaced as Saints boss, exactly a year after replacing him.

But thankfully for Strachan, he was the one with reason to celebrate the anniversary as Saints got their first away win of the season, in fact their first since March.

For Gray things do not look so good. Villa fans were calling for Graham Taylor's head and it normally doesn't take long for Doug Ellis to wield the axe - and with Taylor, Gray and the rest of the coaching staff could be heading out the door.

But you can't dwell on comparisons between the fluctuating fortunes of Saints and Villa. You can just look at last night's match and think it's a fine win for Saints and long overdue.

Strachan admitted he was pleased to be celebrating his year in charge, but knows there is much work still to do.

He said: "As a manager you have nine months or may be a year and it can be gone. Only a few can be successful and it's nice to have survived a year."

If he can come up with more results like this one then he may be here for a while yet.

But Strachan's an astute customer, only too aware of how fickle football can be.

Just take last night.

Taylor probably couldn't believe referee Steve Bennett gave so much to Saints and sent off his 'keeper but that's what happens to you when you're struggling. Then the crowd get on your back and then, if it doesn't improve quick, you get the sack.

Southampton's win at Villa Park was hard fought and earned through a James Beattie penalty.

Strachan said: "I am delighted by the win. It was a battle of the mediocre starts because both Villa and us haven't had the best starts.

"But we feel better now for the next game, you always feel better if you win.

"The only thing you could say about the penalty is that Brett was brave and got himself between the defender and the 'keeper and forced them to make a decision.

"When I looked at it, it was a penalty. It was like a rugby tackle, somebody took his legs and somebody took his body - they both got a bit of him.

"There were four or five chances for us and when you don't take them you think it might not be our night, but you've got to be brave and we are happy with a win but we must improve.

"Our form has been decent but we had a right to panic a little because we had conceded goals in the 92nd and 93rd minute and that may be played on our minds subconsciously."

The decisive moment for Saints came only seconds into the second half.

Many people hadn't taken their seats, many Saints fans watching at home on Sky hadn't made it back from the toilet, the kitchen or, if they were lucky, the off licence.

Almost straight from the kick-off, Alpay inexplicably let a long ball bounce over his head and turned in pursuit of Brett Ormerod.

The Turkish defender was all over the back of the Southampton's in-form striker and had his hand round his neck.

As the pair wrestled their way into the penalty area, goalkeeper Peter Enckelman charged out for the ball, missed it and clashed with the tussling duo.

Steve Bennett pointed to the spot and dismissed Enckelman.

Was it a penalty? Yes. Should Enckelman have been sent off? No.

It was harsh, it was very harsh. If anybody had to go it had to be Alpay but the decision was made and Beattie stepped up to the spot.

It took bottle and nerve for a man who adn't scored all season to take the kick in front of a very rowdy home crowd but he despatched it into the bottom corner, via the fingertips of the substitute 'keeper.

There had been chances for both sides in an entertaining match and Antti Niemi had to produce some good stops to keep Villa out.

In the first half, Darius Vassell lifted the ball over the 'keeper but over the bar as well, Gareth Barry missed two good chances - one brilliantly saved by Niemi - Alpay failed to convert a chance from a free-kick, while Niemi also blocked efforts from Lee Hendrie and Moustapha Hadji.

Saints also had several decent chances and got to the by-line on more occasions than before this season.

The best fell to Anders Svensson who forced Enckelman into a good save but should have passed when Saints had three on one, while Ormerod headed over from eight yards after Beattie's cross.