Every word Southampton boss Martin said ahead of Aston Villa

How has the reaction been since the defeat to Chelsea?

RM: I see a lot of frustration and disappointment as well, but used in the right way. It was a tough night but I said to them to put it in a bit of perspective.

Since the break we've played the team at the top, unbeaten in 20 games and probably the best team in Europe currently and we took them so close, played well.

Then went to the team that went second on Friday night, away to Brighton, a team in a really good place, should have won the game probably, played well.

And with 11 against 11 versus Chelsea we were fantastic. One of the best openings of the game we've had all season. Conceded rubbish goals, for sure. 

We have to improve that but it was game on and it was a really good game. It was toe-to-toe and we're trying to win the game. We're not just trying to hang in there.

We had some big chances, even in that period of the game. When you're down to 10 men against a team that scored the most goals in the league for an hour, it's tough.

So a bit of perspective I think is really important because the players have played since that Man City game, I've been disappointed with the Wolves one really.

On the whole, that's it - and it was not in terms of the whole performance, but the lack of creative or attacking intent. But since then they've been great. 

They just have to keep going, we have to keep going, keep trying to be better and make sure that we try and maintain a bit of perspective as well, I think.

What can you do differently to change the course of your season?

RM: I don't think it's one thing. I don't think I'm going to give a Churchillian team talk that's going to change the course of our season.

I think we're going to do loads of little things to keep trying to be better. I think we're going to try and make the process we follow better.

The way we analyse our position and analyse ourselves, the way we train, the way we work. It's always been a process since we became a management team.

Last year was the same and I think the players are getting better, I think the team's getting better. Sometimes you just need something to shift the energy.

That's a win away from home maybe. It's a big result when people don't expect it. I think winning breathes and changes everything and we have to win a game.

We're going to try and win a game at Villa Park tomorrow against a very, very good team but we are looking at everything always.

Even last year when we had such a long unbeaten run, we looked at everything always to try and improve players, the process and how it looks. We'll continue to do that.

How positive to have the three players you have back from suspension?

RM: Yeah and talking about perspective, I was pleased with so much of the Chelsea performance because we're probably five players down that would start.

Janny Bednarek and Aaron Ramsdale have been massive losses for us as well. Them three guys were splendid and have been three of our top players.

So to have half of your team pretty much, guys if they're fit and in a good place that play, it's difficult for us. I'm really pleased with the guys that came in.

But it's really important that we get these three guys back because they have been massive for us and I think it's a big boost.

No Bednarek or Ramsdale for the game at Villa Park?

RM: Jan is touch and go, he was going to play on Wednesday and wasn't quite right on Tuesday at training. We're giving it another go and we'll wait and see tomorrow.

We were hopeful for Big Paul to be back, but it looks a bit unlikely so he'll probably be the Spurs game now. But there are no other new concerns.

What would you say is different about Aston Villa this season to last?

RM: Well, I don't see much difference. I see a bit of misfortune. I also see a team that's having to play a lot more games, travel a lot, change of schedule I expect.

They probably have a bit less time in the training pitch but they're a really good team. Unai Emery's done an amazing job there.

It's really interesting that because I know there were so many Brighton fans who got to Europe the first time and then didn't particularly enjoy the next season.

They saw it as a bit of a disappointment but I think you have to accept and appreciate that to get there in the first place, an incredible achievement.

It's amazing they are against the opposition they're up against now and they should enjoy every bit of it now. I'm sure they will stick by their manager and their team.

Every team has this period but in the games we've seen, they're in every game and even the Chelsea game, I'm not sure the scoreline reflects it as a whole.

It's a good team. It's a big challenge for us. A great place to go and play with a good atmosphere. We'll have a brilliant away following. I'm excited about it.

Does their run of one win in nine matches represent an opportunity?

RM: I think every game is an opportunity. Every game is one we have to try and win because of the position we're in.

We're not here to try and grind results out or try and grab a draw away from home because it's not enough for us. We need to try and win games and quickly.

Every game presents opportunity, however that looks. It's an opportunity for us to win a game of football and put in a performance that we are happy with.

How are you switching off from football amid a difficult run?

RM: Not very well. Well, genuinely I'm enjoying it. We're learning so much about ourselves and about people in tough situations.

I think whenever I look at my career as a player or as a manager so far, when you come through those tough moments and have success the other side is the best feeling ever.

I think I'm doing a job I love so perspective is really important. I'm doing it with a group of people I love working with and a club and a place I'm really happy.

We're all in when we're here. Yesterday was probably the worst mood I've been in for a long, long time because of Wednesday night and a lack of sleep.

You're tired and you know how much it means but there's no other choice but to bring energy and make sure we're in the best place to try and win the next game.

It's really that simple. There is no other choice. It is all-encompassing but it's an absolute privilege to be manager of this club and in the Premier League as well.

I think if you don't lose sight of that it's easy to maintain energy and to try and enjoy as much of it as you can. Of course, it hurts when you're not winning games.

We're all in it to win. I do the same things now as I did in the last four and a half years as a manager to try and take my mind away from it for 20 minutes if you can.

But I think everyone around you knows how much it means and what it takes and they give you enough love and support to keep on doing it.

What does a moody Russell Martin look like?

RM: I don't know. It's probably not very... I think we all have that, right? You can't be in this job if you don't have that the edge, the ability to feel dark a little bit.

But you have to make sure that you understand it and I think I'm self-aware enough to know when I'm not feeling in a very good mood.

Yesterday was one of them days but the guys around me were outstanding and hopefully, by the end of the day it was all good.

How tough has the enjoyment side of things been for the last few weeks?

RM: I don't enjoy losing so it's not like this false positivity loop of everything's good. I'm in a job that's precarious enough anyway when results are going well.

I think every football manager accepts that but I take joy in helping people on their journey whether that's coaching staff, players, particularly the players.

When I see them doing stuff in training that we've worked so hard on when they're brave enough to do it on the pitch.

I don't think there's a better joy than that as a coach or someone who's trying to help someone on their pathway. I see a lot of young men.

I think we're the second-youngest team in the Premier League so far this season. I see a lot of young men who are growing into it in a big way. Of course, we have to win.

But I love watching that and I love working with the players on the pitch, in the analysis room, the people I work with and the process we embark on.

It's full-on, it's intense but I enjoy that. I think perspective of where I came from to get to where I got to as a player and to come from League One as a manager. 

Hopefully, this is just the very early stages of a long career in management, fingers crossed. I think perspective is just really important all the time.

My job is to try and give players that as well and everyone here. Also, I can find joy in it because of the amount of support I get from the people inside this building.

The staff, the players, I feel they're so with us and they have been from day one. Even though they probably thought we were a bit weird in the first few weeks.

Are you surprised that heads haven't dropped more in the situation?

RM: I'm not surprised by it because that's the hope when you treat them properly as human beings and you're honest with them individually and as a group.

I said to you guys at the start of the season the biggest challenge for them and for us was to try and be ourselves in this league under this scrutiny.

I have nothing but admiration for the players and what they've given us and how hard they're fighting and it won't be for a lack of effort or a lack of trying.

If you ask the new guys who have come in how good a group it is, people like Ramsdale and Adam Lallana, I think they're amazed by the mentality of the group.

By how together they are, even in the tough moments, how brave they are, they're willing to stick to what they work on and what they believe in.

For me it's like a source of pride that they feel like that and they stay together no matter what and they run so hard for each other and for us.

Can you tell us about any conversations you have had with Jack Stephens?

RM: Honestly, I don't need to sit him down and tell him off or explain to him the importance of his role at the club, there'll be no one more disappointed than Jack.

It's not going to hurt anyone else more than it's going to hurt Jack, his place in the team, you know, if there's a sanction from the club in terms of fine or whatever.

With a bit of perspective, Jack has lost someone he loved dearly and really important to him in his life at the moment, which probably impacted what he did on Wednesday.

So as a human being, first and foremost, I absolutely love him as a person and as a player and what he's done for us and as a leader.

It's not my job to slap him on the back of the wrist and tell him I don't need to because he's honest with himself and he's so hurt.

He feels he's hurt the team and he's apologised for letting me down and the team down. So there doesn't really need to be a conversation any more than that.

Other than to tell him that it doesn't change how I feel about him and what he's done for us. Am I disappointed with Wednesday? Yeah, of course.

Am I upset and angry about that? Yeah, of course. But my job then is to not let that affect things moving forward because he has a big job and a big role to play for us now.

Even though he's not involved and he knows that and he will carry that out to the best of his ability. The way he trained today was fantastic.

The energy he brought after being at a funeral yesterday that, like I said, of someone that was really dear to him. I've been told he's come off social media.

I think it's the best thing you can do, I would advise any player to do that at any point, so it's his job now to block out the noise in the same way I have to a lot in my job.

He needs to focus on what he brings to the group and he brings an awful lot and you'd only understand that if you're inside the building every day and we do.

He has to bring that. He can't help us on the pitch now, he's hurting with that and we will be. But he has to help as much as he can off it. I've got no doubt he will.

What did you make of Nathan Wood's Premier League debut and how he reacted?

RM: I thought he was great, Woody. I thought he did really well for a Premier League debut. He showed a lot of his attributes, his athleticism, his calmness on the ball.

It's no surprise to me as I know what he can do better than anyone probably after working with him for a while and knowing him as a person.

I have also understood how frustrated he's been at not playing and how desperate he's been for his opportunity. I'm really pleased for him.

It's not an easy game to come into 24 hours before the game and it wasn't planned. So I think he did really well. Him and James Bree did really well.

They were in a really tough situation so I'm proud of him and I'm pleased for him. He might have to wait again for his opportunity but we know he's ready now.

What memories do you have of playing with Aston Villa's John McGinn?

RM: Yeah, I love him. I love John. He's one of the best characters I've met in the game as a player. I told Norwich to sign him years and years ago.

That was when he first came on the international scene. He was at Hibs at the time, we could have got him at a snip and I was told he wasn't quite good enough.

I won't name who said that but I'm pretty sure he regrets that decision now because John's had an amazing career and continues to perform at such a high level.

I look forward to catching up with him after the game. I hope he doesn't play too well but yeah, John is a friend and someone I really admire and respect and like a lot.

Aston Villa are very athletic. They're powerful. They're really good at what they do. Really well coached. Really good individuals.

Just a really, really good team. You don't get in the Champions League if you're not a really good team and yeah, they have a lot of belief in what they're doing.

And John? he has a big trunk and he's very good at using it.

What has made Emery and Villa so consistent? 

RM: I think they are deadly in transition. They're really good out of possession tactically in sort of trapping teams and then breaking from there.

They are really good at set pieces and really good in variety with the work they do on them so they're just a really well-coached team in every phase of the game.

He's had a fantastic coaching career. Sometimes it's not about how good you are. It's about timing and fit and how much time you are given to change something.

I'm pleased for him that he's come back to England and showed everyone how good he is as a manager and it's an exciting challenge. 

I think we have to go there tomorrow and try and negate what they're good at and try and be good at what we're good at ourselves.

I really feel that if we can bring the level of performance we've brought over the last three games since the break, then we have a big chance.

How hard is it to deal with media speculation and talk about a manager's job?

RM:  I think you just have to understand it and accept it. It's all part of it now and it all adds to the drama and the level of interest around the Premier League.

I think when one of the best managers that's ever lived gets a chant of 'You're getting sacked in the morning' away from home it's fascinating.

It probably shows you how quick things can change in perception. But you need to self-aware and you have confidence in who you are as a person.

Not just in your job but who you are as a person and you understand your own value system and you don't seek external validation.

I'm pretty sure the guys in that job do their very best to not allow it to touch them. My problem with social media and some of the players on you seek external validation.

As a kid, it's constantly from parents to tell you well done, teachers, coaches. So we're brought up in that world of seeking that all the time.

I think you have to understand the only validation or the only peace of mind you ever get really is knowing you've done your very best and understanding who you are.

But with the world of social media and all that stuff we end up becoming big kids really and trying to seek likes all the time and praise and all that stuff.

If I do my job for external validation, I'm in the wrong job. I think we have to just have peace of mind knowing we're working our very hardest and doing our best.

What comes after that in terms of what is said about you when someone decides you lose your job what comes after that is out of your control.

I think if you have an understanding of that and accept the fear that comes with that of maybe losing your job I think after that it becomes just noise.

Does that precarious nature of management make it easier to stick to your principles?

RM: if I lose my job at some point, and it's been five years so far and somehow I've avoided that, I just want to know that I've done it in my way.

I want to know that I've done something I believe in and I did it to the very best of my ability and if it's not enough then I can accept that.

If I get to the end of my job here or anywhere else and I've compromised too much or not attempted to do what I really believe in then I'll have a big problem.

I think I'll be able to accept anything this season and beyond knowing with a peace of mind that I've given everything I've got and tried my very, very best.

I think that's all you can ever do. In 30 or 40 years time, these players will not remember much about certain games and outcomes.

Hopefully, they'll remember how we made them feel and that to me, the people inside this building will be more important than anything else.

I'll get criticised for saying that because I'm in a job that requires winning and when you win people feel more for sure so it's not like a naivety we want to win.

I am a winner, some people will find that hard to believe but also how people feel about working with us and how much they believe in it is really important. 

Do you still get empathy from the people above you in your job?

RM: They've been great, yeah they've been really good. The ownership have been great, I have constant communication with them.

They've been a bit frustrated with some decisions recently they were obviously frustrated the other night because they want to win they've invested in this football club.

They've shown a lot of faith in us to keep it in the Premier League but I think they know how hard we were working to do that.

In terms of support that they have given me in the communication we have, nothing's changed and they've been great.

Will you be able to use the January transfer window to help the squad?

RM: Yeah, I think we're in communication all the time so I think we also have to appreciate and respect the squad is big and too big.

There'll have to be a few people that leave whether that be on loan or some maybe permanently too.

We also have a couple of players out on loan who are doing really well as well to consider so there'll be some changes and there'll be some people in to help us.

There'll be some people leave. I'm not sure how that looks right now because January, in my experience of it as a manager, I don't enjoy it very much.

It can be quite chaotic so we're trying to keep calm and be as organised as we possibly can and ready as we possibly can.

We know what we want to improve and how we want to improve it but then after that so much needs to happen for that.