Southampton interim manager Simon Rusk has said that none of his players are letting their professionalism drop ahead of hosting Aston Villa on Saturday despite relegation having been confirmed last week.

Saints have claimed just nine points in 31 matches so far this season, with head coach Ivan Juric departing on Monday following confirmation of the drop.

But Rusk, who is taking over caretaker manager duties for the second time this campaign, remains confident in his players' ability to get over the disappointment.

"Obviously, there was a period of time where it hurt, it was a difficult one. The players were hurting and we were hurting as you'd expect," said Rusk, as quoted by BBC Sport.

"There's no sniff of anyone [not wanting to play]. When you initially move through the hurt and disappointment, professionalism kicks in and they know there's a job to be done and to play for the fans.

"We're playing in one of the greatest leagues in the world and we won't get away with not being wholeheartedly committed, every single player wants to finish this season as strong as they can."

When speaking about the motivation ahead of the final seven matches of the campaign, Rusk said that their upcoming Championship campaign was already in focus.

"We're building momentum into next season, for me some of the greatest memories have been as a supporter," he said.

"If we can turn up and win games and give people moments - it's what it's all about. We will continue to give everything and I hope the results come with that and we give people moments that they enjoy and remember."

Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery, meanwhile, gave a clue as to whether he would be rotating his squad in the aftermath of their victory over Nottingham Forest last week.

Villa made eight changes to the starting XI for their Champions League quarter-final away to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday following the Forest victory.

"We did it in Preston as well. It is very important to manage the players we have. We are more less with the players available," he said.

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Southampton – Mateus Fernandes

No player has more league goal involvements for Southampton this season than Mateus Fernandes (five – two goals, three assists).

With a goal and an assist in his last two games, he could become only the second Saints player to score or assist a goal in three successive Premier League appearances while aged 20 or younger, after Kevin Davies in November 1997 (four in a row).

Aston Villa – Morgan Rogers

Rogers comes into this having scored in back-to-back matches in all competitions against Nottingham Forest and Paris Saint-Germain, taking his tally to 14 goals for the season.

He has also created 18 chances for Ollie Watkins in the Premier League this season – the most one player has created for a single teammate in the 2024-25 competition.

MATCH PREDICTION: ASTON VILLA WIN

Southampton have lost 25 of their 31 Premier League games this season (W2 D4), the joint-most league defeats in a single campaign in their history, also losing 25 times in their last top-flight campaign (2022-23).

Southampton are without a win in their last 10 home games in the Premier League, losing nine of them (D1). The Saints have only once before failed to win 11 successive home league matches, doing so from October 2008 to February 2009 in the Championship.

They have also lost 12 of their 15 Premier League games at St. Mary’s this season (W1 D2) – their joint-most home defeats in a single league campaign in their history, also losing 12 in 2022-23 in the Premier League.

Aston Villa, meanwhile, have won their last four Premier League games against Southampton by an aggregate score of 7-0. They are also on the longest-winning run in the Premier League, having won three on the spin.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY 

Southampton – 19.8%

Draw – 22.2%

Aston Villa – 57.9%