Ings double lifts Southampton out of relegation zone

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Southampton - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 21, 2019 Southampton's Danny Ings celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

BIRMINGHAM, England (Reuters) - Two goals from in-form striker Danny Ings helped Southampton to a 3-1 win at Aston Villa on Saturday and lifted them out of the Premier League relegation zone.

The home supporters were left frustrated at Villa Park with another timid performance as the hosts suffered their fourth consecutive league defeat to replace Southampton in the bottom three.

Southampton grabbed the early advantage after Shane Long chased down a long ball behind the Villa backline, but his effort was parried by goalkeeper Tom Heaton, only for Ings to score from the rebound.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Southampton - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 21, 2019 Southampton's James Ward-Prowse in action with Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

The visitors doubled their lead on the half-hour mark after a James Ward-Prowse corner found Jack Stephens who headed the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Villa suffered another setback just after halftime as a botched clearance from Marvelous Nakamba landed at the feet of Ings, who fired a shot past Heaton for his seventh goal in the last seven league matches.

"Massive win, we knew how important this game was. We heard their supporters getting on to them early on," Ings said.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Southampton - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 21, 2019 Southampton's Jack Stephens celebrates scoring their second goal with Danny Ings, James Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

"We're working on things every day, but I think today is a huge step in progressing forward. When the third goal went in we knew it would be difficult for them to come back."

Dean Smith's Villa, who lost midfielder John McGinn through an injury in the first half, showed an alarming lack of fight in the second until midfielder Jack Grealish pulled one back through a spectacular volley 15 minutes from time.

Southampton, who collected only their third away win of the season, visit Chelsea on Boxing Day, while Villa host second-bottom Norwich City.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Southampton - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 21, 2019 Aston Villa's Jack Grealish in action with Southampton's Cedric Soares Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

(Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru,; Editing by Toby Davis and Ed Osmond)

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Southampton - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 21, 2019 Southampton's Jack Stephens celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Southampton - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 21, 2019 Aston Villa's Wesley in action with Southampton's James Ward-Prowse Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Southampton - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 21, 2019 Southampton's Jack Stephens scores their second goal Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Southampton - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 21, 2019 Aston Villa's Bjorn Engels in action with Southampton's Danny Ings Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Southampton - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 21, 2019 Southampton's Danny Ings scores their third goal Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Southampton - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 21, 2019 Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz in action with Southampton's Nathan Redmond Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Southampton - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 21, 2019 Aston Villa's Wesley shoots at goal REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Southampton - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 21, 2019 Southampton's Shane Long in action with Aston Villa's Bjorn Engels Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Southampton - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 21, 2019 Southampton's Shane Long in action with Aston Villa's Tom Heaton REUTERS/Eddie Keogh