The St Mary’s hoodoo came to an end after a last minute goal from Stuart Armstrong settled a 2-0 win against Aston Villa.

In a matter of seconds, detectable anxiety became sheer relief as Ralph Hasenhuttl and his men wrapped up a vital victory in front of home support.

An eighth minute strike from Shane Long opened the scoring before Southampton continually failed to put the game to bed, despite registering 28 attempts at Pepe Reina’s overtaxed goalmouth.

But in the 94th minute, Armstrong was on hand to settle any nerves and pick up Saints’ fourth home win of the season.

Saints headed into the clash with the worst home record in the league (11 points from 13 games) while Villa’s record on the road was hardly anymore impressive. Their eight points from a possible 39 was only exceeded by Norwich, who had picked up two points less.

The south coast outfit stamped their authority from the get-go with Premier League debutant Will Smallbone having the games first chance. The 20-year-old’s drilled strike was deflected off Tyrone Mings and cannoned the outside of Pepe Reina’s post.

Minutes later, Southampton were rewarded for their sprightly start. Moussa Djenepo drove to the byline before crossing to Shane Long, who with the help of a delicate body part, turned the ball into the back of the net.

It was the Irishman’s third goal in all competitions and was in deep contrast to Southampton’s opening exchanges against Burnley last week, conceding directly from a corner after two minutes.

With Villa still reeling from the early blow, Saints continued to push. Talisman Danny Ings was denied by Reina after turning Tyrone Mings only for Moussa Djenepo to begin causing havoc, his close-range shot saved once again by Reina.

Led by their captain Jack Grealish, Dean Smith’s men slowly started to gather a foothold in the match. Mbwana Samatta had a goal ruled out for offside and Grealish himself threatened with a couple of free-kicks in dangerous territory.

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(Above) Shane Long’s goal separated the sides at half-time

After the break, Saints continued to create guilt-edged chances. This time, Stuart Armstrong pounced on a communication breakdown between Reina and Mings before rounding the Spaniard but failing to apply the finishing touch. Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg then had a volley kept out again by Reina.

But with the worst home record on the league, things were never going to be straight-forward. After substitute Che Adams had a shot cleared off the line by Kortney Hause, St Mary’s feared the worst. Their failing to kill off the game provoked justifiable anxiety in supporters, and it was becoming more palpable by the minute.

With Villa throwing everything and the kitchen sink in the dying embers, Stuart Armstrong grabbed Southampton’s second.

In a stroke of the ball, all nerves had suddenly been alleviated.

Adams picked up the loose ball from an Aston Villa corner and broke, with former Celtic man Armstrong breaking his neck to keep up. Adams squared to Armstrong and with Reina stranded after going up for the set-piece, the Scot was on hand to tap home.

It is a crucial victory at home for Southampton, who end three successive defeats in all competitions and stay 12th.

Meanwhile Villa, who in comparison were unable to fashion any chances of note, remain a point outside the relegation places.

Team Lineups

Southampton (4-2-2-2): McCarthy: Ward-Prowse, Stephens, Bednarek, Bertrand; Hojbjerg (c), Smallbone (Romeu 82′); Djenepo, Armstrong; Ings (Adams 72′), Long (Obafemi 72′)

Unused substitutes: Gunn, Valery, Vestergaard, Boufal

Aston Villa (5-4-1): Reina; Guilbert, Konsa (Hourihane 59′), Mings, Hause, Targett; Luiz, Nakamba (Baston 80′), Grealish (c), El Ghazi (Trezeguet 27′); Samatta

Unused substitutes: Nyland, Engels, El Mohamady, Drinkwater

Attendance: 31,478