Toby Alderweireld believes joining Saints was the best decision he could ever have made - and insists Saturday's game with Aston Villa does not feel like his last home match for the club.

The future of the on-loan 26-year-old at St Mary's remains in great doubt, as they wait for parent club Atletico Madrid to make a decision on him.

The Spanish side have indicated they are likely to bring him back this summer, which they can do by paying about £1.5m to cancel out Saints' £6.8m option to buy him.

But, if that does happen, it is unclear whether they would wish to use him themselves or simply sell him for a higher price.

Alderweireld admits he is still in the dark about it, but one thing he has no doubts about is whether he was right to move to Saints this season.

"It was the best decision I could ever make, I think," he said.

"I get the confidence, it was a very good team.

"The squad is fantastic, even on the pitch and off the pitch.

"I'm very happy here, my life is good here, so it's the best decision in my football career that I could make to any team I think.

"Of course, you have to be a little bit lucky, but I think a lot of people said 'Yeah, well, Southampton?' but I think this season proved enough."

Alderweireld, who is hoping for a quick resolution to his future once the season ends, knows Saturday's match against Villa could be the last time he plays at St Mary's.

But he revealed that it does not feel like that to him.

"I don't feel it is my last game, or my last home game, I don't feel like this, because I'm happy here and there is an opportunity that I would stay here, so I don't feel it's the last game," he said.

Daily Echo: Toby Alderweireld

Toby Alderweireld in action for Saints

"Maybe in Man City, when it's really the last game, it will feel different, but now, no, I'm just focusing, because it's a massive game we have to win for a European spot and I think the team, not only me, wants to give the fans and the team itself a present for this fantastic season."

Hopes of Saints keeping many of their top players this summer were boosted when Jay Rodriguez this week signed a new contract.

"It gives a signal to the other players that a big player is staying, and that's good for the team, and maybe other players will stay as well and they can, with a couple of good transfers, get an even better team than this year," said Alderweireld.

The Belgium international added that the Rodriguez deal is the sort of thing, if it came to him making a decision about where to go, that could influence him.

"Yeah, of course," he said. "Everybody knows I'm very happy here.

"I'm very grateful to this club that they give me the opportunity to show myself.

"I think I did everything for the club, so there was a good working experience for both of us, so, of course, I would be happy to stay in Southampton or stay in the Premier League, because I really enjoyed this year.

"This year went so fast, and that means you're enjoying yourself, so I really liked it."