Well it was a better performance and scoreline than the same fixture 6 months ago, but ultimately the result was the same and Saints will really consider this a game that they really should have got something out of.
The evening started with a period of silence in respect of the Queen, a silence observed impeccably by both sets of supporters, pleasing to see after some issues at other games.
If ever there was a game where the phrase deja vu could be used, then it was this one, in one respect it was good that it wasn't deja vu for the corresponding fixture at Villa Park last season, but sadly it was a performance that was very similar to our last time out, the 1-0 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers, were we also looked comfortable for much of the game, but ultimately lost it for a lack of concentration just before half time.
It was a game of few chances, there were actually only 4 shots on target between the two sides, 2 of Villa's 3 came just before the break when Gavin Bazunu had to make a smart save, but in the subsequent scramble Villa got a foot in first and fired home from close range, in truth this was the only real time either side looked like scoring.
These are situations were quick reactions are needed, we were caught sleeping as Villa were more alert to the ball than we were.
In truth Saints never really got going, they seemed to win the first ball ok, but Villa constantly won the second, meaning we made it hard for ourselves in then having to win it back, we never seemed to be able to get the ball down at our feet and have a run at the Villa defence.
Ralph's game plan seemed to be keep it tight first half and then look to get a grip of the game and press forward in the second, that was going all to plan until Villa scored and that meant we were going to have to play catch up.
The first change was at the break when Juan Larios came on for his debut in place of Romain Perraud, clearly more of an attacking full back than the Frenchman, also on for Ibrahima Diallo was Joe Aribo, Ralph had changed the emphasis from defence to attack.
To be honest not much changed, we didn't lose anything defensively, I don't think Bazunu had a shot on target to save second half, but then again neither did we create anything either, Villa had their goal and were content to hold what they had and although they looked ok on the break, they rarely looked like they would add to the total.
With 20 minutes to go Stuart Armstrong was on for his namesake Adam, and also Sekou Mara on for Che Adams, but again little changed, the last throw of the dice was with 11 minutes to go when Samuel Edozie came on for Elyounousi, in truth this was a change that should have been made a lot earlier, Elyounoussi was never in the game and his replacement had barely a chance to shine as the home side got behind the ball and gave us nothing.
This was perhaps a small criticism that could be levelled at Ralph Hasenhuttl, did he show Villa too much respect, certainly he left Elyounoussi on a lot longer than he should have been and Sam Edozie on the bench for far too long, he is aware that this is a side that needs to be allowed to nurture, that it needs to be reined in sometimes to avoid mistakes as we did last season, piling forward and getting caught on the break, but sometimes you have to allow them off the leash.
So the end result was another 1-0 defeat and disappointment as this was a game that although we didn't deserve to win it anymore than Villa did, we certainly didn't deserve to lose it either.
The good news is that defensively we seem to have sorted things out, our last three fixtures have seen only 3 goals conceded, if we compare the same three games last season, all played in the second half of that season, we conceded 13 goals and scored just one without taking a single point.
So from this perspective there is visible improvement, just the 3 goals against and 2 for with 3 points on the board.
Perhaps the best moment of the night for the travelling Saints supporters was sadly not from their own team, but from one who was formerly one of our own, Danny Ings introduction on 84 minutes was perhaps an indication of just how downhill his career has gone since leaving St Mary's just 13 months ago.
When he left for his "Project" that would have included being in the England squad for the World Cup in Quatar, now that dream has long gone, he is reduced to a bit part at Villa, a late sub to run the game down.
How different that could have been, if he had stayed at Saints then things could have been a lot different, not just for Ings himself but for Saints.
I didn't join in the abusive anti Ings chant, that quite a few did, but I did cheer enthusiastically in the final minutes when with Saints attacking and Gavin Bazunu up in the Villa box, the ball was cleared to Ings, with an open goal, albeit from distance, he blazed his shot far and wide, sadly the biggest cheer that Saints fans would get to give on the night.
So that is something to not only build on, but to do so with optimism, this is now a young side, but it needs to gel and a lot of the players in it are still learning, but they will only get better with experience and that will bode well.
So disappointment at Villa Park, but there are the shoots of recovery sprouting, we just need to now turn those shoots into draws and wins and from this perspective the Everton game in two weeks time is a big big game.