Southampton v Aston Villa: Ayew seeks to rouse rudderless Villa

Jordan Ayew has called on his team-mates to "find a solution" as managerless Aston Villa prepare to face Southampton in the fourth round of the League Cup.

Villa head to St Mary's Stadium after a sixth consecutive Premier League defeat to Swansea City that cost Tim Sherwood his job.

Ayew give his side the lead 62 minutes into that contest before a subsequent collapse and the Ghana international is keen to see mental strength from his colleagues in order to turn their dire slump around.

"We are playing good football but we are not winning. It's tough," he told AVTV HD.

"We have to find a solution. As players we have to be stronger to win games. We played well against Swansea but at the end it was zero points.

"We have played against teams who have played no better than us but we haven't been getting the results. We have to continue working hard now to pick up.

"No matter how we play, we have to win. We want to pick up victories and make the fans happy."

Playmaker Gaston Ramirez will be eying further first-team action having featured for Southampton in the Premier League for the first time in 15 months during Sunday's 1-1 draw at Liverpool.

Ramirez, a former club-record signing who spent the majority of last season on loan with relegated Hull City, came on as an 80th-minute substitute at Anfield and set up Sadio Mane's equaliser.

"Gaston is working hard and he’s part of the team," manager Koeman told Southampton's YouTube channel. "He was not the first option in that position in front.

"He's working hard and he's trying to take his opportunity. With injuries to Shane [Long] and Jay [Rodriguez] he's knocking on the door and then I give Gaston that opportunity."

Koeman added that Wednesday's match will come too soon for Long and Rodriguez (both ankle), while Mane's red card against Liverpool leaves his attacking reserves further depleted.

Villa enjoyed a rare high-point in their arduous season in the previous round, overcoming bitter rivals Birmingham City 1-0 thanks to a Rudy Gestede goal.

Interim manager Kevin MacDonald is without defensive duo Ciaran Clark (thigh) and Jores Okore (knee), along with midfielder Gary Gardner (ankle).

Latest in
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Arsenal squad for 2024/25 LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal with teammates during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal warned, as Real Madrid are coming for their star next: report
Latest in News
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Arsenal squad for 2024/25 LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal with teammates during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal warned, as Real Madrid are coming for their star next: report