Football: Villa take advantage

Chelsea. . . .0

Aston Villa. .1

IN a game that is unlikely to find its way on to the shelves of the Video Classics library, Aston Villa returned to the top of the league after Ray Houghton put away one of the very few chances that came their way. Chelsea, without one win in 12 games, can consider themselves unlucky, having shown far greater purpose and invention going forward than the pretenders to the Premier League throne.

While their principal rivals concentrate their attention on the FA Cup, Villa's own exit from the competition may yet prove to be the best thing to happen to them all season. Defeat by Wimbledon is never good for any side's confidence but while Manchester United and Ipswich keep one eye on the Cup and the other on the League, and Norwich's challenge falters, Villa have been afforded the luxury of focusing their attention solely on the Championship.

Less encouraging for Ron Atkinson was the unconvincing manner in which they achieved yesterday's victory. At times they were straining desperately to withstand Chelsea's unrewarded pressure and, following the midweek defeat to lowly Crystal Palace, Atkinson will have to invoke all his inspirational qualities if his team are to sustain a serious title challenge.

Villa's good luck was neatly epitomised by the fortunate nature of their goal. It was not so much created by them as for them. Mark Bosnich's long goal-kick was flicked on by Dalian Atkinson making his much-awaited return to fitness. What followed contained more Vaudeville than vintage Villa as Mal Donaghy and Frank Sinclair crashed into each other and sprawled to the ground leaving Houghton an open approach into the area and an easy shot past Kevin Hitchcock for his third goal of the season.

Until then it was Chelsea who had looked the more likely to make the breakthrough. The best of their chances was provided by David Hopkin, a 20-year-old midfielder from Morton playing only his second senior game, who prised a number of openings in Villa's high-security defence.

While Villa's midfield struggled to provide Atkinson and Saunders with anything like a decent service, Chelsea increased their already considerable pressure in the second half. John Spencer came on with 25 minutes to go and almost provided a spectacular equaliser with his first touch, when his bicycle kick from the edge of the area was tipped over by Bosnich.

Dean Saunders and Dennis Wise more than anyone else will want to forget yesterday's game. Living off scraps for most of the match, Saunders was booed and barracked every time he touched the ball by a Chelsea crowd who will take a long time to forget his tackle at Anfield which put an end to Paul Elliott's season.

Wise, meanwhile, was stretchered off with severely torn ligaments after making his return from an injury to the same foot which had kept him out for six games.

Chelsea: K Hitchcock; G Hall, F Sinclair, A Townsend, D Lee, M Donaghy (J Spencer 65 min), D Hopkin (G Stuart 58 min), R Fleck, M Harford, E Newton, D Wise. Sub not used: D Beasant (gk). Manager: I Porterfield.

Aston Villa: M Bosnich; E Barrett, S Staunton, S Teale, P McGrath, K Richardson, R Houghton, G Parker (N Cox 82 min), D Saunders, D Atkinson (D Yorke 60 min), S Froggatt. Sub not used: N Spink (gk). Manager: R Atkinson.

Referee: M Peck (Kendal).

Goal: Houghton (0-1, 22 min).