A DANNY Ings brace ensured Saints won’t be in the relegation zone on Christmas Day.

Jack Stephens also headed in to give Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side a comfortable 3-1 away to Aston Villa.

Here are five things we learned from the game:

1. It was Saints’ best performance of the season:

From the first whistle, you could tell Hasenhuttl’s team were up for yesterday’s encounter.

They dominated Villa and were rewarded with a two-goal lead going into the break, before sealing the win after half time.

There were some nerves after Jack Grealish’s subline finish, but Saints held their nerve to see out an emphatic display.

2. Where has that clinical edge been?

It was about time Saints took the chances that fell their way.

Hasenhuttl’s side have been punished against Arsenal and Newcastle in recent weeks for not killing the game off.

However, at Villa Park, they showed an edge to their game that has been missing – and long may it continue.

3. Ings was at the double:

After a rare game without a goal against West Ham, the Saints striker was back in the goals on Saturday.

He took his Premier League tally to 11 for the season – becoming the first St Mary’s player to achieve double figures before Christmas since James Beattie in 2002.

If he continues this run of form, he has to be in with a shout of getting the England nod from Gareth Southgate.

4. Nathan Redmond showed signs of a comeback:

It’s been a difficult season for Redmond to date, which has also been interrupted with a knee injury.

Although he is yet to hit the heights he managed in the previous campaign, he showed glimpses of his former self at Villa Park.

Redmond was a constant threat down the wing and kept going until the final whistle.

5. It was a crucial win going into a tough run of fixtures:

Given the fixtures coming up, Saints knew the importance of getting a victory against fellow strugglers Villa.

By getting such a comprehensible win it should give them the confidence going into the Premier League matches with Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Tottenham and Leicester.

Chelsea, in recent weeks, have shown signs of vulnerability at the back which could prove to work in Ings’ favour when the two sides meet on Boxing Day.