Three points is followed by two weeks for one very relieved manager to sit a little more comfortably

with Steven Gerrard able to breathe somewhat during the international break after

Aston Villa side ground out a 1-0 win at home to Southampton on Friday night.

A defeat to the Saints 10 months ago had heralded the end of Dean Smith’s Villa reign

decided by Jacob Ramsey’s first-half strike

will be a platform to build upon from October until the World Cup break.

Villa Park, frequented by the Villa-supporting new Prince of Wales over the years

shared the honour with Nottingham Forest’s City Ground in becoming

the first two stadiums to sing ‘God Save the King’ ahead of a Premier League match,

which followed Steven Gerrard and Ralph Hasenhüttl leading their teams out for a moving minute’s silence under dimmed lights.

It all made for a surreal start to the night, but the rousing rendition was a reminder that English football’s top tier was back