WHERE has that ruthless streak been up until now?

Saints’ performance at Aston Villa showed exactly what happens when you take the chances you are handed.

This has been missing for most of the season.

You only have to go back to the Arsenal and Newcastle matches in recent weeks to see how a team who dominates is punished for missing a host of chances in front of goal.

But that wasn’t the case at Villa Park.

From referee Craig Pawson’s first whistle until his last, minus a nervy spell when Jack Grealish scored, Saints were dominant; aggressive; disciplined and, most importantly, clinical.

It looked as though it could be another one of those days where Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side started brightly but failed to make the most of it and come away with nothing.

In-form Danny Ings made sure that didn’t happen, though.

His goal in the first half gave Saints the confidence to continue hunting for a second – especially with the hosts on the ropes.

There have been too many times where the St Mary’s side have gone ahead, only to concede and allow the other team back into the encounter.

However, Jack Stephens made sure that didn’t happen, with Ings killing Villa off in the second half.

If Saints can show this ruthless streak consistently, there is every chance, with Ings leading the line, that they will be able to score their way to Premier League safety.

It has to be said that Aston Villa were the perfect hosts by putting in an abject performance but that hasn’t stopped Saints from throwing a lead away before.

With the attacking players the St Mary’s outfit have at their disposal – Nathan Redmond, Sofiane Boufal, Moussa Djenepo and Ings – there is a good chance they will create plenty of opportunities.

But creating them is one thing, making sure the ball ends up in the back of the net is another.

Their performance in front of goal should give them the confidence to go to Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day and take advantage of a shaky defence.

Frank Lampard’s side doesn’t look to be the same team that swept the south coast side aside earlier in the season, with them now looking vulnerable at the back.

Now Saints have seen the damage they can do if they take their chances, it’s in their best interests to make sure Villa Park wasn’t a one-off.