Villa's Under 21s crash 3-1 at St Mary's

Sid Cowans' young lions went down to a disappointing 3-1 defeat away at Southampton.

Omar Rowe drilled home from 12 yards out to give Saints a 1-0 advantage seven minutes before the interval.

A Kevin Toner own goal doubled Southmapton's  lead, before Daniel Johnson brought Villa back into the game.

Defender Jordan Turnbull headed in Saints third towards the end, ensuring Villa left Hampshire empty-handed/

The game began at a frentic pace, and Villa 'keeper Benjamin Siegrist was  lucky to stay on the field after charging out of his area to close down Tadanari Lee's shot, which hit Benji's outstretched hand. The referee awarded Saints a free-kick but Benji escaped with a yellow.

The free-kick saw Lee’s effort parried as far as defender Jason McCarthy, who could only strike the ball back at Siegrist, who made a spectacular save.

Rowe was next to test our busy keeper, as his left-footed shot was turned around the post.

Villa grew into the game after that tough opening, with Andreas Steiber’s taking a punt from long-range.

Southampton though they'd got ahead after 21 minutes, when Omar Rowe’s free-kick was konocked in Jordan Turnbull – but the referee blew of an off the ball incident

On 38 minutes, Southampton took what was probably a deserved lead. Sinclair’s cross found Omar Row, who chested the ball down and slotted past Siegrist for 1-0.

Southampton doubked their advantage just seven minutes into the second half. Sinclair drove towards the byline and provided a low centre which bounced off the unfortunate Kevin Toner and into the net.

Daniel Johnson was caused Southampton all sorts of problems. He twice struck from outside the penalty area, only to be denied by Chris Johns in the Saints' goal. However, Johnson finally got the better of Johns after confusion  in the Southampton defence, running through to fire left-footed past the keeper for 2-1.

Stieber then piled on the pressure, shooting just over, before Southampton put the game beyond doubt

Harrison Reed whipped a dangerous corner into the six-yard box, and Jordan Turnbull headed home to secure a 3-1 vicyory fo the home team .

Southampton U21s: Johns, McCarthy, Stephens, Turnbull, Targett, Reed, Flannigan, Lee (Moore), Sinclair, Barnard, Rowe (Seager). Unused substitutes: Britt (GK), Colmer, Mugabi.

Aston Villa U21s: Siegrist, Webb, Donacien, Toner, Kinsella, Cowans, Lyden, Calder, Stieber, Robinson, Johnson. Unused substitutes: Wilden, Watkins, Sellars, O'Brien, Strain.

Gutted we lost 3-1 today!! Happy to get 90 mins after being out!! Needed that massively ! Thanks to who ever come to support⚽

— Callum Robinson (@CallumRobinson7) September 21, 2013

Fuming we lost 3-1 after a good run last week !! Guess we're learn from our mistakes & on to the next one !!

— C baller ... (@Riccardocalder1) September 21, 2013