BBC PUNDIT and former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has predicted that Aston Villa will end Saints’ unbeaten run with a narrow victory at Villa Park.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side travel to the second city having not tasted defeat in seven matches in all competitions, including five in the Premier League.

That run included clashes with Manchester City, Tottenham Hostpur, Manchester United and most recently West Ham in the FA Cup fifth round.

Villa, on the other hand, only won one of their four Premier League matches in February and lost to both Watford and Newcastle United.

However, Lawrenson has predicted that they will be celebrating when Saints visit.

He told BBC Sport: “Southampton are one of the form teams in the Premier League at the moment.

“The Saints kept marching on in the FA Cup in midweek too, despite making lots of changes, and it's seven games unbeaten now in all competitions for Ralph Hasenhuttl's side.”

He continued: “Villa's results, in contrast, have been up and down in recent weeks but they have still been creating plenty of chances in most of those games and I think they will cause Southampton some problems.

“Lawro's prediction: 2-1”

Saints have a remarkable record of late against Villa, only losing once in the last 11 clashes dating back to 2014. That run includes seven wins, and five in the last six.