Ronald Koeman believes Fraser Forster is intelligent enough to understand the mistake that cost Saints a rare goal against Aston Villa last night and backed his “great goalkeeper” to quickly recover.

Forster was under the spotlight after charging out of his area to try and challenge Gabriel Agbonlahor for a ball that bounced in between the keeper and Toby Alderweireld, but could only look on in horror as he failed to make contact and the Villa striker skipped by and finished into the unguarded net.

Saints hit back late on through Nathaniel Clyne to bag themselves a point and, while Koeman admitted it was a poor goal to concede, only the sixth Saints have let in during the league season so far, he also backed Forster to recover.

“That’s not usually a goal against us,” said Koeman.

“I think it was a misunderstanding and I have to watch it back but from the bench I saw his (Forster’s) reaction to come out, he stopped and if you stop you are too late.

“He’s clever enough to understand that kind of mistake and he’s a great goalkeeper and that didn’t change with this mistake.”

He added: “It was bad. It was a misunderstanding defensively and that cost the 1-0 and then always it’s more difficult because after that still they more defending, less attacking to try to keep that good organisation and it was difficult for us to create opportunities about that.

“But finally we deserve the goal and we had the patience in the second half.

“We kept the organisation in the team what we said at half time.

“We know they will be defending and keep the organisation because normally we always score.

“It was late but well deserved.”

Koeman was ultimately content with a point after a tough night and felt his side were full value for the 1-1 draw.

“I think we play well and we showed to be patient, to show the character to have the belief in score that equaliser,” reflected Koeman.

“We deserved that one because we had a lot of domination in the ball possession.

“That’s not always the key to win the game but we played more football than they did.”

Saints now face three huge games in the shape of Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United, but Koeman still believes this game against Villa could prove the hardest, a view he voiced in the build up.

“It’s not to say that for the next week because every game in the Premier League is difficult,” he insisted.

“We spoke about it before the game but they missed some key players, they are in a difficult situation in the table and maybe that’s more dangerous than normally.

“After the 1-0 down it was more difficult but still we have one point and that’s for the feeling and the confidence very good.”