NICKY Banger and lain Dowie dented Aston Villa's title hopes as they suffered their first defeat in eight games.

Banger, a 21-year-old reserve, lit the fuse for the Saints' shock win in the 40th minute and Dowie, the former British Aerospace draughtsman, completed the win in the second half to ease the south coast side's relegation fears.

Allied to Ipswich's contribution, it inflicted severe damage on the idea that the championship had become a two-horse race.

Villa had not won at The Dell since 1982 and they never looked like improving on that dismal record from the moment Kevin Richardson brought Matthew Le Tissier to life in a 40th minute brawl.

Until then, the frustrating England B winger had drifted in and out on the fringe of a poor game.

But his retaliation for Richardson's late tackle, which earned both of them a yellow card, galvanised him into action.

He not only took the free kick but charged across to retrieve a poor clearance and chip the ball back into the middle, where Dowie's challenge set up Banger to drive his second goal of the season into the bottom right-hand corner.

Three times in the second half Le Tissier went close to increasing Southampton's lead, including a delightful dribble past four defenders which ended with a right-foot shot into the side netting.

Southampton sewed it up when Brian Small missed Terry Hurlock's pass down the right and Dowie raced free to lash a right-foot shot into the top corner.