FORMER Burnley striker Jay Rodriguez was disappointed not to score on his first Southampton start since September, but was delighted to be back.

The 26-year-old has had a nightmare two years with injury, missing over a year with a cruciate knee ligament injury picked up in April 2014 before returning at the start of this season.

He scored three goals earlier this season but a foot injury picked up in October has kept him out until the start of this month.

After coming off the bench in the win over Newcastle and the draw against Everton, he was back in the starting line-up at Aston Villa on Saturday.

"It was great, that's where you want to be, you want to be starting and being amongst the team.

"I wanted to grab a goal, that was the only thing I was disappointed with. Hopefully it will come soon.

"I felt really good. I didn't feel that tired towards the end and I felt I could carry on. You're always improving if you're playing with your fitness and sharpness, you get better each game."

Rodriguez left Burnley in June 2012 to move to St Mary's for a fee of around £6million, and he has scored 29 goals for the Saints.

The 4-2 win at Villa Park kept alive Southampton's chances of qualifying for Europe with three league games to go.

"We want to win every game we've got left now, and that's the aim. We want to win well, and I thought we did [against Villa], so hopefully it continues.

"I want to be involved in all the games and try and improve and score. That's the main thing for myself, and do well for the team.”

Rodriguez started up front alongside Shane Long and he felt they worked well together.

"He's a great striker and he scored a great goal," said Rodriguez. "He works hard and it was nice to put pressure on the defenders.”