Southampton Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has confirmed that Saints supporters will get their first chance to see two of the summer signings play at St Mary's on Saturday with Gavin Bazunu & Sekou Mara set to make their home debuts.
Most Southampton fans have not yet had the chance to see Gavin Bazunu play yet, so far he has only had two outings in pre season, playing the first half in Austria against RB Leipzig and then a full 90 minutes against Watford last weekend at Wealdstone.
In contrast Alex McCarthy has played the 2nd half against Leipzig and also has two full games under his belt playing 90 minutes against both Klagenfurt and Monaco.
Saints fans who have seen these games either live or on TV streams in the main agree that Bazunu has shown the best form of the summer, so they will be pleased to hear that Bazunu will start against Villarreal ahead of McCarthy.
In truth many will wonder why McCarthy has had more game time, he is a known quantity whereas Bazunu although a talent, isn't, so far he has only played in League One and it is a big step up to the Premier League.
It is a step that many think he can make, but if that is the case he needs game time pre season and hasn't got as much as he should do.
"Yes, this is the plan," Hasenhuttl confirmed to Hampshire Live when asked if Bazunu would start on Saturday. "Absolutely positive, some of the things I have seen [in the performance]. This is always what I ask from the players and if you know me as a manager, or us as staff, we are always keen for seeing good performances and players developing what we are asking for, and then they have the chance to play."
Also making an appearance will be Sekou Mara the latest signing, he was at the game against Monaco and watched from the stands alongside others not involved with the squad on the night including injured players Tino Livramento & Nathan Tella as well as Chelsea's Levi Colwill who posted on his instagram account pictures of him watching the game.