Southampton manager Ronald Koeman says his side have to be more aggressive ahead of their clash with Aston Villa at St. Mary’s Stadium on Saturday.
Saints are without a win in their last four Premier League games, having lost back to back away games against Leicester City and Sunderland.
Koeman’s side are currently seventh in the Barclays Premier League table, a point behind Tottenham Hotspur, with sixth place enough to guarantee a place in the Europa League.
“We know the situation. We know this Saturday is a must win game,” said Koeman, speaking at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.
“And of course, it’s our last home game, we want to show our qualities and we want to win the game for the fans.
“We have to play better football and we have to be more aggressive from the start than we have been in the last two away games.
“I think that to finish in sixth position we need at least four points.”
Southampton have two matches remaining against Aston Villa and Manchester City, seventh place may be enough to qualify for Europe, if Arsenal beat Villa in the FA Cup final.
Villa have looked a different team since manager Tim Sherwood took over in February. They have won their last two Premier League games against West Ham and Everton.
Koeman was full of praise for Sherwood and the job he has done since taking over at Villa Park.
“From the day that Tim Sherwood came in, the Aston Villa team is different.
“In my opinion, it’s more offensive, better football. They are more dangerous than the beginning of the season.
“They’re still fighting to stay in the Premier League. It will be an open game because they’re playing more offensive than before and that’s normally good for us.
“If I look at the team, if I look at the players, they are more confident in the qualities of the team, and that makes them difficult to beat.
“To play in the final of the FA Cup is a great success for the club.”
Southampton can’t afford any slip ups, Swansea City are only a point behind them in the table after their 1-0 win over Arsenal on Monday night.
Koeman says this has put more pressure on Saints: “It’s a great result for them, like us they are having a fantastic season.
“It puts a little bit more pressure on everybody for Saturday, but it’s our last home game, the fans deserve a win and we need a win.”
