Challenging times in store for Villa and Saints

Paul Lambert's side nearly got all three points last night

Does the 1-1 draw between Aston Villa and Southampton represent a change in fortunes for both clubs heading into a crucial period?

Monday's game itself was instantly forgettable, with a dearth of genuine quality in the attacking third from both sides on the night - they managed just five shots on goals between them.

The result is a welcome one for Lambert and his Villa squad but they remain without a win since September. The natives gave their verdict on Villa at the turnstiles; this was Villa Park's lowest attendance at a Premier League game in 15 seasons.

Goals are still the issue for Villa. They lack the creativity to carve out decent chances against Premier League opposition and even if they could, they don't have a potent scorer to put the ball in the net.

A huge stroke of fortune came last night when the usually reliable Saints rearguard gifted them an opening goal courtesy of Fraser Forster's error in judgement when deciding to come for a long punt down field from Ciaran Clark, only to be caught out by Gabby Agbonlahor.

Agbonlahor's pace is an asset but he is unlikely to start contributing regularly - he hasn't hit double figures in any of the last four seasons.

Alongside him, Andreas Weimann operates on a ratio of one goal for every five Premier League appearances.

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Their next four games are against sides around about them in the table - beginning with a trip to resurgent Burnley on Saturday.

The Clarets, along with Palace, Leicester and West Brom, will fancy their chances against this toothless Villa side.

Southampton gave a start to 12million summer signing Shane Long on Monday - a figure that doubles Paul Lambert's entire summer outlay. This Villa squad desperately needs reinforcing.

In contrast to Lambert's situation, opposite number Ronald Koeman is enjoying a carefree start to his career in England.

Southampton have excelled this season and the defensive lapse that gifted Villa the lead was most unlike them.

Koeman said in the aftermath that his team lacked the patience required to break down Villa.

More likely was that they were missing any kind of guile on this occasion. For the first time, Saints seemed to be one dimensional.

Graziano Pelle struggled to make any impact on the game and has now failed to score in his last four Premier League outings. The question now is whether teams are alert to the threat posed by second-placed Southampton?

Dusan Tadic was another Saints player generally operating under the radar in Monday's clash, with full-backs Ryan Bertrand and Nathaniel Clyne required to get the visitors out of jail.

Koeman referred to this Sunday's clash with champions Manchester City as a pleasure to look forward to but it looks like his fledgling side are set for a really testing period.

After City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Everton and leaders Chelsea lie in wait before the year ends.

The quirks of the fixture list mean they will face the Gunners at St Marys before a trip to Old Trafford to begin 2015.

Koeman's star has been on an upward trajectory since he arrived in England this summer but the former Feyenoord boss is now staring at the toughest run of fixtures in his managerial career.

In the midst of it all, the Capital One Cup quarter final against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in mid-December could represent a key momentum keeper in Southampton's season.

The Villa Park stalemate was a fair outcome for both of these sides.

For Aston Villa, their troublesome season could become a nightmare if they fail to ignite in the forthcoming games. Southampton are stepping into the unknown as they go from the hunter to the hunted in a series of heavyweight clashes.