Kevin Davies scored twice to end Aston Villa's run of 12 league matches in a stunning Saints' triumph at The Dell.

Villa, in a lethargic and punchless display, never showed the sort of form which had provided them with a sequence with only one defeat in 19 matches.

Benito Carbone, the Italian who is demanding wages of £30,000 a week, made no impression on a Southampton defence which had the previous week let in seven goals at Tottenham.

Southampton were desperate for victory as Glenn Hoddle's return to Premiership football had suddenly become threatened by the possibility of relegation.

The Saints took the lead in the 39th minute with a stunning finish by Davies and never looked back.

Southampton goalkeeper Paul Jones did not have to make a save of any note and spent his afternoon collecting hopeful punts forward by anxious Villa.

Davies, restored to the side after a one-match ban, put Saints in front with his fourth goal of the season.

Villa's England Under-21 international defender Gareth Barry failed to get any distance on a clearing header and Davies eagerly seized on the chance to blast a fierce right-foot shot home from the edge of the area as Finnish goalkeeper Peter Enckelman dived vainly to his left.

Villa hardly mustered a worthwhile challenge and Davies put Villa out of their misery with a second goal of utter simplicity in the 63rd minute.

Matthew Oakley's pass found him in oceans of space and as Enckelman rushed from his goal Davies calmly slipped the ball into the far corner.

Hassan Kachloul almost added another five minutes later but from 10 yards saw his shot go a foot over the bar as Villa tottered.

Villa manager John Gregory sent on three substitutes, Julian Joachim, Lloyd Samuel and Alan Thompson but it made no difference as Southampton clung onto three precious points with great comfort.

Villa, for all the early promptings of Paul Merson, failed to produce a single clear opening.

They forced four corners in the first 20 minutes and from one of those Southampton were indebted to full-back Jason Dodd for hacking clear under pressure.

The lacklustre Carbone had a sniff of only one chance in the second minute when a long ball from Steve Watson put Southampton's defence under pressure but the impressive Dean Richards got back to make a timely clearance.

Lee Hendrie shot wide after Merson had opened a rare gap in the Southampton defence with a back header, but it was small compensation for Aston Villa.

Defender Ugo Ehiogu was booked for a foul in the third minute but he was one of the few Villa players to emerge from the trip to the south coast with any credit.

Southampton gave a home debut to Moroccan international defender Tahar El Khalej and he had a solid performance, though was booked in the 28th minute for a foul.

Chris Marsden and Davies were also shown the yellow card by referee Mike Riley while Kachloul was cautioned for a theatrical dive in the area.

Villa had a glimmer of a chance in the 79th minute when Barry, hoping to atone for his error in setting up Davies' first goal, had a shooting chance from 15 yards but dragged his shot across the face of the goal.

It was that sort of afternoon for Villa.

Teams

Southampton: Jones, Dodd, Richards, El Khalej, Bridge, Tessem, Oakley, Marsden, Kachloul, Pahars (Soltvedt 89), Davies.

Subs Not Used: Benali, Le Tissier, Boa Morte, Moss.

Booked: Marsden, El Khalej, Davies, Kachloul.

Goals: Davies 39, 63.

Aston Villa: Enckelman, Watson, Ehiogu, Barry, Wright (Thompson 81), Boateng, Taylor, Hendrie (Samuel 69), Stone (Joachim 62), Carbone, Merson.

Subs Not Used: Walker, Cutler.

Booked: Ehiogu.

Att: 15,218

Ref: M Riley (Leeds).