Aston Villa's hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Cup are hanging by a slender thread after Dion Dublin squandered a golden late chance to earn them victory against battling Southampton.

Dublin found himself with only Saints keeper Paul Jones to beat after seizing onto a through ball from Paul Merson and racing clear of Claus Lundekvam.

But he could only clench his fists in frustration after he inexplicably drilled his rising shot wide from 10 yards.

Villa manager John Gregory had set his side a target of four wins from the remaining four games if they were to have any chance of qualifying for the UEFA Cup but they produced an unconvincing performance.

Now in reality an Intertoto Cup spot seems their best chance of a route into Europe despite their late season surge as they are struggling to stay in touch with the top six.

The big plus point for the home side was the form of rookie striker Darius Vassell who was given his first start since his two-goal blast against Bradford in early February.

The England Under-21 player posed problems throughout the 90 minutes for the Saints defence and came close on several occasions to breaking the deadlock.

He fed on a diet of dangerous crosses from over-lapping full-back Alan Wright and the 22-year-old made a good case to be given an extended run in the side.

But Villa struggled to find the kind of fluency and potency in front of goal which has been a trademark of their game since Gregory reverted from a 3-5-2 to a 4-4-2 system.

For all Vassell's efforts, Saints keeper Jones barely had a shot worthy of the name to save in anger until deep in the second half.

Southampton showed signs that they are finally beginning to get over Glenn Hoddle's departure to Tottenham after a run of three successive defeats.

They looked lively and threatening when they broke forward despite operating with only James Beattie as the out and out striker in a 4-3-2-1 system.

Mark Draper also had a solid game in the centre of midfield on his return to Villa Park where he spent several seasons before being off-loaded by Gregory.

Vassell made his presence felt from the first whistle as Villa looked to extend their unbeaten run to nine matches.

But it was Southampton who created the first moment of real danger when David James parried away a low cross from Kevin Davies.

The ball broke to Hassan Kachloul only eight yards out and a goal seemed certain until Villa skipper Gareth Southgate made a splendid block tackle.

Vassell continued to pose problems and he sent one effort just wide, with the ball appearing to hit him on the knee, from a cross by Wright.

Vassell then caused danger at the far post when he toe-ended a shot just wide with the over-lapping Wright again providing the centre.

Then Vassell looked to have reasonable claims for a penalty rejected by referee Jeff Winter after being challenged by Matthew Oakley.

Southampton still looked dangerous on the break and they may have had rough justice in the 36th minute when Beattie headed home a cross from Davies.

Winter adjudged that Beattie was offside after his assistant had raised his flag early but television replays suggested it may have been an incorrect decision.

Vassell continued to worry the visitors' defence and he sent a powerful near post header just over the top from yet another Wright cross.

Villa began the second half on the offensive and a header from Dublin, saved comfortably by Jones, represented their first effort on target.

But Southampton showed that they were not content just to try and settle for a point and Davies got on the end of a cross from Draper but hit his volley too near to James.

Gregory brought on David Ginola after 53 minutes in place of Ian Taylor and his first contribution saw Jones push away an inswinging corner at full stretch.

But Villa were still finding it hard to build up any concerted pressure and they needed a fine save from James to keep them on level terms.

Beattie found himself clear with only the England keeper to beat, but he spread himself in front of the Saints striker and blocked his left-footed drive across his body.

Villa built up some momentum at last, with Jones tipping over a chip from Vassell and then Dublin guilty of his late miss, but they could not find a way through.

Teams

Aston Villa: James, Delaney, Southgate, Barry, Wright, Merson, Taylor (Ginola 53), Boateng, Hendrie, Dublin, Vassell.

Subs Not Used: Staunton, Joachim, Stone, Enckelman.

Booked: Hendrie.

Southampton: Jones, Dodd, Richards, Lundekvam, Bridge, Tessem, Draper, Oakley (El Khalej 85), Kachloul, Beattie, Davies (Pahars 90).

Subs Not Used: Moss, Marsden, Rosler.

Booked: Draper, Davies.

Att: 29,336

Ref: J Winter (Stockton-on-Tees).