Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has praised his Irish striker Shane Long for apologising for not scoring more goals in his team's 4-2 win over Aston Villa.

Long’s first half effort was his sixth goal in his last seven games against Villa but he missed several chances to add to his tally, including hitting the bar early on.

And Koeman revealed the Republic of Ireland international said sorry afterwards for not adding a second or third goal.

He said: “He apologised after the game because he wasn’t scoring more goals that one. It’s a good mentality because he had some good possibilities to score.

“He knows himself he had more opportunities to score and I like it. I never complain to a player who is working hard and doing everything. It’s part of the job to miss chances. He was positive because he is working hard and creating a lot of problems.”

The Dutch manager believes his side’s European hopes are still alive after the victory at Villa Park.

The Saints cruised to victory against their already relegated opponents to keep the pressure on Liverpool, who blew a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Newcastle.

Dusan Tadic’s double and goals from the impressive Shane Long and Sadio Mane kept their slim Europa League chances open.

They are eighth in the Premier League table, a point behind Liverpool and two adrift of West Ham, and Koeman wants to keep the pressure on their rivals.

He said: “What you like, at the end of the season, is to play for something, that is always better than when the season is over. We are winning again and putting the pressure on them. That’s what we like to do and we have to do it next week.

“Liverpool have a tough schedule with the Europa League and that’s always difficult to keep the momentum in the Premier League. That’s good because we are close but we need more wins, we know.

“I am very happy and still have one year on my contract. Everyone can be very happy how it works.”

Ashley Westwood’s double was little consolation for Villa, who were constantly jeered by their own fans after gifting the Saints their first two goals.

Defeat was Villa’s 10th straight league loss and they are a game away from equalling a club record run when they lost 11 matches in 1962-63.

Leandro Bacuna, Joleon Lescott, Brad Guzan and Micah Richards were prime targets for the boo boys but Villa caretaker manager Eric Black refused to criticise the fans.

This week supporters have seen club captain Gabby Agbonlahor suspended as the club investigate alleged laughing gas use while it was revealed Jores Okore has effectively gone on strike by refusing to be on the bench against Bournemouth earlier this month.

Black said: “It’s difficult circumstances, they are trying to voice their opinions. We are professional people, professional footballers, and it’s not always rosy in the garden.

“I can only do what I do and try to improve them but we are not at the bottom of the league because we’re the best team and have the best players. We have to keep working hard with them and they have to remain professional.

“I’m standing there so I’ll take it (the abuse). I understand the fans’ frustrations and they have ideas on what team they want to see but I can’t be led down that road.

“They’ve have had the worst season in recent history, they have seen poor results and performances. They have every right to voice their anger.”