High-riding Aston Villa were brought unceremoniously down to earth as their seven match unbeaten run came to a halt at the hands of super-sharp Southampton.

Graham Taylor’s men suffered their heaviest defeat since their return to the top flight and Villa’s travelling army of supporters will confirm that it might easily have been worse.

Only a series of excellent saves from Nigel Spink prevented the slick smooth Saints from running riot and the home side's unorthodox strike force of three wingers kept the visitors defence at full stretch.

Spink back in the side after a thumb injury could perhaps be faulted when Southampton took a 10th minute lead through 20-year-old Matthew LeTissier.

But the Villa goalkeeper subsequently called on all his experience and agility to keep the scoreline in respectable proportions.

Spink's one error was his failure to push the ball to safety when former Liverpool midfielder Jimmy Case swung a cross into the Villa goalmouth.

The keeper could only help the ball on allowing LeTissier a simple close range header.

Spink though had no chance with either Southampton’s other two goals LeTissier delivered a 74th minute rising drive which gave Spink no chance.

And the keeper again found himself unprotected when Rod Wallace produced a simple 81st minute tap-in after Glenn Cockerill had charged through the Villa defence.

It simply wasn't the visitors day, despite an encouraging 22nd minute equaliser from Tony Daley - his fourth goal of the season.

Daley displayed tremendous awareness when the ball reached him 10 yards from goal drilling a precision low drive inside John Burridge’s near post.

That goal gave the visitors heart despite Southampton's superiority on the ball.

Derek Mountfield battled bravely to try and stem to tide while Gordon Cowans tried to get things moving through midfield but Taylor’s men were unquestionably second best on this occasion

Although Alan Mclnally showed some nice touches up front Villa were too preoccupied with thwarting the Saints to mount any sustained attacks of their own.