Missing The Dell already

Southampton's worry is not so much keeping the home fires burning as kindling a spark at St Mary's stadium, where they have lost all three of their Premiership fixtures.

The Dell was a disgrace in terms of facilities. But visiting teams were frequently unsettled by its enclosed and hostile atmosphere, in which home supporters could not only convey their displeasure in a dark whisper but also pick the pockets of any player who had not left his valuables in the changing room.

For a perennially average Premiership side this was an important edge. Everyone is much more comfortable in their ocean liner of a new stadium, especially the away side.

Arsenal's last away league defeat was at The Dell in May and manager ArsΦne Wenger was well aware of the difference on Saturday. "There was less pressure from the supporters," he said, recalling perhaps his own side's faltering steps at Wembley's open acres when they played European matches there.

Southampton manager Stuart Gray observed: "The new stadium will bring in extra revenue because of the bigger capacity. But gone are the days when you take a throw-in and feel the crowd breathing down your neck."

Gray's concerns, however, are more fundamental than his home from home. On this showing Southampton will be arm-wrestling relegation for the rest of the season. "This was a 2-0 drubbing," he conceded.

Gray was not the only pensive manager at the final whistle. Wenger knows Arsenal must do better than this to disconcert Panathinaikos in the Champions League at Highbury on Tuesday.

Southampton looked like Gunner fodder from the kick-off. They went behind after five minutes with a goal from the eye-catching Robert Pires.

The match was over, as a contest, from that moment. Henry should have scored 16 minutes later, when he fluffed the easiest of chances. He did score, in the 74th minute, thanks to a benign deflection off substitute Stuart Ripley.

SOUTHAMPTON: Jones, Delap, Bridge, Lundekvam, El Khalej, Oakley, Svensson, Pahars, Tessem, Davies, Beattie. Subs: Moss, Marsden, Le Tissier, Benali, McDonald.

ASTON VILLA: Schmeichel, Delaney, Wright, Mellberg, Alpay, Boateng, Hadji, Hendrie, Kachloul, Angel, Dublin. Subs: Enckelman, Staunton, Ginola, Stone, Balaban.