The Blues were heading for a first victory since December 1 after Phil Neumann capitalised on some poor defending, and questionable goalkeeping, to score a looping header.

Saints shot-stopper Gavin Bazunu somewhat made amends with a fine save from Jay Stansfield, allowing Aston Villa youth product Cameron Archer to come on and seal a 1-1 draw at St Andrew’s.

City were furious that play was not stopped after referee Matthew Donohue and skipper Tomoki Iwata collided in the build-up to the leveller.

Davies was given a booking for his remonstrations and several minutes later, with the City manager still furious, went onto see red.

Petty said: “From where I was, and I haven’t got great eyesight, (a) really difficult one because I felt that Tomoki got obstructed by the referee.

“The referee obviously decided that he didn’t impact him enough to stop the play and unfortunately they’ve gone through and scored.

“I would like to think that Tomoki would have intercepted the ball and we’d have gone down the other end.

“Unfortunately that didn’t happen. The referee’s human, he’s made the decision that he thinks is correct, and we have to stand by that – as frustrating as it is.

“That’s part of football, and you’d like to think, over the course of the season these decisions even themselves out.”

Asked if the anger at the equaliser played a part in Davies’ eventual red card, Petty added: “I thought we were all very angry at what had happened.

“It’s a very emotional game. We’ve gone from being in control, 1-0 up, playing superbly well, and then losing a goal against the run of play. It’s a very, very disappointing feeling.

“We’re all wanting out there to win three points tonight and at that moment in time it went against us, and it’s from more frustration than anything.”

Saints also ended 2025 with a sense of frustration having started slowly and failed to build on Archer’s leveller.

Boss Tonda Eckert said: “I always try to say that we play for three points in every single game.

“At the same time, we know it’s a tough ground to come to. Not many teams take away three points.

“I think that the game was quite even until we scored the equaliser. Then it is about managing a momentum, and I think that we were clearly on top towards the end of the game. I do think that there was a chance even to make it three.”

The result leaves promotion-chasing Southampton 13th in the Sky Bet Championship and, despite picking up the man of the match award, raised questions over goalkeeper Bazunu.

Asked about the shot-stopper’s negative statistics, Eckert said: “I think that’s not a fair discussion today.

“Gav has been man of the match today, and you throw a question at me to criticise my goalkeeper. I think that is not the right thing for today.

“The fact he’s become man of the match, he’s had an excellent performance today and that’s it.”