RALPH Hasenhuttl confirmed defender Jan Bednarek had to be replaced at half-time during Saints’ 4-3 win at Aston Villa and added: “He did not feel very good”.

The Polish centre-half had to be replaced due to suffering from a headache, after an aerial battle during the first half at Villa Park.

Jack Stephens came on in place of the 24-year-old for the second 45 minutes.

The boss also said full-back Ryan Bertrand suffered a hamstring problem, which forced him to be replaced with 11 minutes remaining.

Ibrahima Diallo replaced the England international, with Saints skipper James Ward-Prowse filling in at left-back.

Hasenhuttl said: “Ryan had a problem with his hamstring and Jan Bednarek had a very brutal duel in the air in the first half. It wasn’t even a foul.

“But I think this was the reason why we had to sub him at half-time because he did not feel very good.”