Saints can boost their European hopes on Saturday by inflicting an amazing tenth defeat in a row on relegated Aston Villa.

Ronald Koeman has warned that any lingering hopes of Europa League qualification will be extinguished if Saints fail to secure three points at Villa Park.

At least the omens are good for his side with Villa having suffered an almighty fall from grace this season, to the extent that defeat to Saints would mark the second worst losing streak in Premier League history.

Villa’s last win came at the start of February, when they defeated Norwich 2-0 at home to briefly lift their survival hopes.

However, they have since suffered a dismal run of nine straight defeats, with relegation confirmed with four games of the season still to play.

The only worse losing streak in the Premier League came back in 2002/03 when Sunderland lost 15 on the trot.

Even Derby, who finished with a record low of just 11 points in 2007/08, avoided losing as many on the bounce as Villa have done.

Villa have mustered just three wins during their 34 games thus far, and a total of just 16 points. One of the seven draws they have bagged came against Saints at St Mary’s in December.

Villa’s home record is fractionally better than their away one, with two wins, four draws and 11 defeats in front of their own fans.

However, they have scored just 12 goals in those 17 games, while conceding 31 times.

This is a big week for Saints’ European ambitions.

Some of their rivals face midweek fixtures, with Manchester United, Liverpool and West Ham all in action tomorrow night.

Then Saints have what really is a must win game at Villa if they are to stand any chance of making it in, whether the Europa League spots stay at six or extend to seventh.

It may be that Saints will have to win all of their four remaining matches to get in, but anything less than three points at Villa will surely end any hopes they have.

That was certainly Koeman’s verdict after the 1-1 draw with Everton, which, given the way Saints performed, was really two valuable points dropped.

He said: “I think in the away games today and the next one against Aston Villa we need at least four points, maybe six points. It can now only be four points.

“It’s crucial next week and if not then we play the last three to finish the season.

“Of course we like to win then for the fans but not really fighting for something like European football.”

Saints have won one, lost one and drawn one at Villa Park since their promotion back to the Premier League.