TWO-GOAL Jay Rodriguez hailed Saints’ “ruthless” performance in the 6-0 thrashing of MK Dons in the Capital One Cup third round and confessed he’s looking forward to a home tie against Aston Villa in the next phase of the competition.

Rodriguez hit the visitors’ opening goal at stadiummk – his first in domestic competitions since March 2014 – with just five minutes gone and then made it 4-0 just after the break from the penalty spot after Shane Long was fouled.

Sadio Mane and Long joined in with a brace apiece in the goal-glut triumph against the Championship strugglers, and Rodriguez admitted that the team were left “buzzing”.

“The team played well,” he said. “We set out to go and press and play good football and that’s what we did.

“We didn’t want to stop after scoring three.

“We never stopped, we were ruthless in front of goal today.

“Obviously there could have been more goals , but the chances we had were taken brilliantly.”

The 26-year-old said he felt “fit and fresh and raring to go” as his recovery from a serious knee injury continued.

“I want to score as many goals as I can and I’m just disappointed not to score more in the game, but I just want to play and enjoy my football,” he said.

“That’s what I want to do and make as much impact as possible.”

The Dons victory comes off the back of a 3-2 defeat to Manchester United in the Premier League and, according to Rodriguez, it was just the remedy Ronald Koeman’s side needed as they look to get back on track in the top-flight this weekend against Swansea at St Mary’s.

“You can see the lads were buzzing,” he said. “Everyone’s worked together and we’ll go through the tough times together because it will only make us stronger.

“You’ve got to take it sometimes in football, it doesn’t always go your way, but it’s the way you react to it and to go out there against a good team like MK Dons has done it for us.”

On the next round tie with Aston Villa at home, Rodriguez said: “Villa are a good side and another test.

“The cup is special and we want to make our way as far as we can.

“It’ll be a good atmosphere (at St Mary’s), so I’ll look forward to that.”