Darius Vassell showed the predator's instinct which could help England to World Cup glory this summer as his two-goal blast kept Aston Villa on course for an Intertoto Cup spot.

Vassell took his season's goal tally to 13 and earned Graham Taylor only his second win in 12 matches since he returned to Villa as manager in February.

Taylor believes that Vassell has already booked his seat on the plane for Japan and Korea and he was a constant menace with his pace and power, particularly in the first half.

But it remains to be seen whether this was the farewell home appearance for record signing Juan Pablo Angel who received the Supporters' Player Of The Year award before the kick-off.

He was given only a substitute's role again and is still likely to leave in the summer after being unhappy at his treatment when he first arrived at the club 15 months ago.

It was a game of two halves with Villa having the chances in the first 45 minutes to have killed off the contest.

Vassell was a constant threat during that period while midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger and wide players Mark Delaney and Gareth Barry were dangerous going forward.

But it was a different story after the break with substitute Jo Tessem causing problems breaking down the left flank.

It was Villa's turn to hang on desperately after James Beattie had reduced the arrears.

Southampton were the first to threaten when Brett Ormerod broke down the centre between two players but he sent his shot straight at Peter Enckelman.

But Villa were soon on the offensive and after eight minutes that man Vassell broke the deadlock.

A free-kick from Hitzlsperger was cleared by Anders Svensson but the ball went straight back out to the German Under-21 international.

This time his cross picked out Vassell whose looping header beat the despairing dive of Neil Moss who was deputising for the injured Paul Jones.

Villa were playing with plenty of purpose and Hitzlsperger curled a free-kick inches wide.

Southampton had to rely on the occasional counter-attack and from one of them Ormerod headed over when well placed following a cross by Paul Telfer.

But the home side were generally in control and there were plenty of narrow escapes for the Saints.

Barry headed just wide after a first time cross from Delaney and Peter Crouch shot over from eight yards out.

A great block by Delaney denied Fabrice Fernandes but Villa were soon back on the offensive.

A close-range effort from Steve Stone was scrambled wide and Moss held onto a dipping volley from Hitzlsperger.

It came as no surprise when Villa doubled their lead three minutes before the interval through Vassell's 13th goal of the campaign.

A raking pass from the left flank by Barry picked up Vassell who had timed his run to stay onside and get behind the Southampton defence.

He had the confidence to take the ball in his stride and hammer a first-time shot across Moss into the corner of the net.

Strachan made a double half-time switch bringing on Tessem and Tahar El Khalej in place of Fernandes and Williams.

The Saints were a different proposition and Rory Delap saw his shot beat Enckelman and hit the post.

But the visitors were not to be denied and after 51 minutes James Beattie gave them a life-line.

Ormerod got into space on the left inside the area and his low cross picked out Beattie who made no mistake from close range.

Villa were now having to battle to hang onto their slender advantage although the number of clear-cut chances were now at a premium compared with the first 45 minutes.

Taylor was so concerned that he opted for a treble substitution mid-way through the half with Angel, Moustapha Hadji and Jlloyd Samuel replacing Crouch, Stone and Barry.

But it was Southampton who looked the more threatening and Enckelman had to deal with a 25-yard curler from Beattie.

Vassell had few chances in the second period but he did manage one stoop header from a cross by Hadji which went straight at Moss.

Teams

Aston Villa: Enckelman, Delaney, Mellberg, Staunton, Wright, Stone (Hadji 66), Boateng, Hitzlsperger, Barry (Samuel 66), Vassell, Crouch (Angel 66).

Subs Not Used: Myhill, Hendrie.

Booked: Staunton, Mellberg.

Goals: Vassell 8, 42.

Southampton: Moss, Dodd, Lundekvam, Williams (El Khalej 45), Bridge, Telfer, Delap, Svensson, Fernandes (Tessem 46), Ormerod (Davies 80), Beattie.

Subs Not Used: Bleidelis, Bevan.

Booked: Tessem.

Goals: Beattie 52.

Att: 35,255

Ref: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).