Virgil van Dijk looked off the pace as he made his playing return for Southampton's Under-23s on Monday night.
Dutchman Van Dijk had looked destined for the St Mary's exit over the summer after handing in a transfer request following interest from Liverpool.
He was axed from first-team duties and made to train with the youth team, despite the club's stance that they would not sell him - although he has since been reintegrated into the senior squad.
He played his first game since January on Monday night as he was given a run out alongside the Under-23s in their Premier League 2 fixture at Aston Villa.
Van Dijk, 26, had missed football the back end of last season through injury.
And he looked to be lacking match fitness during the game, as Southampton were picked apart by a rampant Villa display.
Van Dijk missed his challenge in the middle of the park ahead of the first goal, allowing the space for Jordan Cox to finish.
He also failed to get tight to the striker for the second and fourth goals.
It remains to be seen if he will be available for a first-team contention this weekend's trip to Crystal Palace.