Aribo stars for Southampton but Villarreal edge pre-season match

Yeremy Pino gave the Yellow Submarine an early lead after a well-contested start, while clinical finisher Gerard Moreno’s second-half notch was enough to secure victory.

They sandwiched a solo stunner from summer signing Aribo, who thought he had put Saints ahead with a header but for an offside verdict shortly after.

The second-half performance, like versus Monaco, left much to be excited by from a Saints perspective.

They welcomed Spanish outfit Villarreal to St Mary’s for the final pre-season match this summer, managed by Unai Emery and with Pepe Reina in net.

Sekou Mara was handed a start on his 20th birthday, his first appearance in any Saints shirt since a move from Bordeaux last week – this time wearing the wavey blue away strip.

Ralph Hasenhuttl stuck with the five-at-the-back shape naming what looks to be close to his strongest XI, ahead of next week’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur.

They looked to continue momentum from the 3-1 win over AS Monaco on Wednesday, with stars Joe Aribo, James Ward-Prowse, Stuart Armstrong and Moussa Djenepo all in.

However, Armel Bella-Kotchap had to make a terrific acrobatic recovery after an error of his own before Mohammed Salisu made a last-ditch intervention on a square ball, to keep the visitors at bay early.

This, despite a relatively promising start from the home side. Bella-Kotchap was then beaten in a foot-race down the wing and Yeremy Pino got low to head in Nicolas Jackson’s cross for the opener.

James Ward-Prowse’s corner to Stuart Armstrong at the back-post was turned just wide, while Bella-Kotchap’s whipped ball saw the same result by Moussa Djenepo at the goal’s other side.

The loudest roar of the home support came from a counter-attack break towards the end of half, involving touches from Aribo, S Armstrong and a weaving Djenepo.

The Malian won a dangerous free-kick but Ward-Prowse could not get it through the wall and a scramble ensued for Villarreal to clear.

Mara’s debut was brought to an end after 45 minutes, struggling initially to make an impact but not expected to so early, with Adam Armstrong on in his place.

Djenepo had another chance blocked from a Bella-Kotchap ball early after the break, but the equaliser came soon enough.

With 25 minutes to play, Aribo – from the halfway line – danced through four yellow shirts, pulled a slick cutback in the area and powered into the top corner.

The Nigerian international then headed in his second minutes later, but the linesman had his flag up to rule offside. Shortly after, Moreno finished across Bazunu to retake the lead.

The contesting Saints had a handful of half-chances in the final minutes to win the match, but none of Djenepo or substitutes Romain Perraud and Nathan Redmond could convert.

Saints: Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Bella-Kotchap (Valery, 73), Bednarek, Salisu, Djenepo; Lavia (Romeu, 84), Ward-Prowse, Aribo (Perraud, 84); S Armstrong (Redmond, 84), Mara (A Armstrong, h-t).

Unused subs: Stephens, Lyanco, Diallo, Elyounoussi, Adams, Cabellero (g/k).

Villarreal: Reina; Morlanes, Capoue, Baena, Jackson, Pino, Mandi, Pedraza, De Le Fuente.

Subs: Albiol, Parejo, Foyth, Chukwueze, Estupinan, Dia, Coquelin, Morales, Femenia, Cuenca, Iosifov, Adriano, Nino, Casaro, Rulli (g/k).

Referee: Anthony Taylor

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