Villa left The Dell shaking their heads at the controversial decision by referee Keith Burge which might have changed the result.

The Welsh referee amazingly declined to send off Southampton’s goalkeeper Tim Flowers when he deliberately handled the ball outside his own area in the 22nd minute.

Under the new FA rules concerning professional fouls the former Wolves keeper should clearly have been given his marching orders.

But Burge took no action throwing further confusion into the new law which has caused so much consternation among players and management.

Villa were already one up at the time with Kevin Richardson scoring in the first minute after Dalian Atkinson had seen a shot charged down.

Flowers twice had to push out 20 yarders from Villa’s speedy winger Tony Daley in rapid succession.

Ron Atkinson’s new streamlined team is not yet firing on all cylinders. He has always insisted it would take time for them to settle into a cohesive winning unit. But he was well served by new Polish full-back Dariusz Kubicki a £200,000 signing from Legia Warsaw who showed up well against Southampton’s dangerman Matthew Le Tissier.

Dalian Atkinson came through the game well after being absent with a hamstring strain and Cyrille Regis led the attack with great skill.

But Villa were found a little wanting in midfield with skipper Gordon Cowans and Richardson closely marshalled.

Tempers understandably became a little frayed in the steamy heat and Richardson was eventually shown a yellow card for retaliation.

The scuffle also involved Aston Villa's Kevin Richardson, Cyrille Regis and Dalian Atkinson leaving SOUTHAMPTON midfielder Barry Horne was last night receiving emergency dental treatment after three front teeth were knocked out.