Football: Saunders grabs the limelight

Aston Villa. .2

Ipswich. . . .0

BOTH clubs had suffered setbacks but Aston Villa settled back much the more impressively. Yet, with Manchester United also winning, Villa's journey remains one in which they run in another's footprints. United will hear the tread.

If this was a game Villa expected to be a problem, it was made all the more comfortable by a goal from Dean Saunders that will rank with the best seen at this ground. A 35-yard shot that was so obviously pre-prepared that there was never any doubt that it would end where it was intended to go.

Villa's attempt to maintain their challenge for the title is being restricted by the continued absence of Dalian Atkinson, but, with Saunders in such breathtaking form, there is no cause to doubt their ability to bring another season of League frustration to Old Trafford.

Winning potentially awkward matches such as these is the trademark of likely champions. Admittedly, Ipswich lost their inspiring captain, David Linighan, for the whole of the second half, and they were never going to recover after Saunders' goal, but their pleasant, open football was both characteristic and praiseworthy.

Ipswich were not the first to find Paul McGrath's power, positioning and persistence virtually immovable. He was never out of control and obviously knew that he had to beware Ipswich's variable approach. As it happened, for almost all of the first half he quietly observed from the back while Villa kept up their pressure.

Presumably Villa began as bruised as any team can be. Losing in the fourth round of the Cup is bad enough for any top-rank Premier League side, but being mugged in the fog by Wimbledon after penalties was a case of double misfortune. It came as a right to the jaw after the body-blow of losing to Southampton in the league. In a way, though, Ipswich had softened the damage by beating Manchester United, leaving the title race interesting and Villa still deeply involved.

If Villa were looking for a little light recuperation, facing Ipswich was hardly ideal since they had met them three times before this season and not managed a win. The enterprising East Anglians are probably the most unpredictable team in the Premier League, constantly changing their format and approach. Yesterday they chose to bring back John Wark and let him have a free role in a five-man defence, a job he enjoyed until Linighan's injury. Ipswich needed the extra defender as Saunders led Villa in a prolonged barrage that gave Ipswich's usually most creative player, Jason Dozzell, few opportunities.

When Ipswich did emerge from their own half, the nimbleness of Earl Barrett frequently frustrated them and he, too, was often Villa's most damaging counter-attacker as he tormented Neil Thompson and offered Saunders a succession of invitations that Linighan covered efficiently before an awkward fall restricted his movement and eventually led to his substitution.

Ipswich's preference for counter-attacking and Villa's urgent need for a revival ensured that the tide continued to sweep the same way, finally leading to Villa's 33rd-minute goal that came when Steve Staunton's long centre to the far post was met by the head of Dwight Yorke, who was again taking Atkinson's central attacking role. Yorke and Saunders do not have a natural understanding, and both tend to look for the same openings, but between them they make life difficult for any defence.

If that was a goal of simple practicality, the second was one of those to keep the video producers in material for years to come. Ray Houghton tapped a pass to Saunders, who despite being 35 yards from goal saw Clive Baker off his line and ambitiously drifted and curled a memorable shot over him and under the bar.

Had Yorke done better than hit the post just after Saunders' goal, the pressure Villa were imposing might have secured the game earlier. As it was, Linighan's injury kept him from the second half and Villa now had no cause to fear Ipswich's reputation for tilting at the big names. They reverted to a flat back four, allowing Saunders even more opportunities.

Although Steve Whitton forced the excellent Mark Bosnich to turn away a stinging low shot at the foot of a post, Chris Kiwomya had Ipswich's best chance to drag themselves back into contention, but his speed was better than his first touch; something that marred his game and hindered a team who nevertheless will go on to have a word in the final destination of the title as well as saying something interesting for themselves.

Aston Villa: M Bosnich; E Barrett, S Staunton, S Teale, P McGrath, K Richardson, R Houghton, G Parker, D Saunders, D Yorke (S Beinlich, 85 min), S Froggatt (N Cox, 81 min). Sub not used: M Oakes (gk). Manager: R Atkinson.

Ipswich Town: C Baker; P Whelan, N Thompson, M Stockwell, J Wark, D Linighan (G Johnson, h/t), G Williams, B Guentchev, S Whitton, J Dozzell, C Kiwomya. Subs not used: F Yallop, C Forrest (gk). Team Manager: M McGiven.

Referee: P Durkin (Portland).

Goals: Yorke (1-0, 33 min); Saunders (2-0, 43 min).

(Photograph omitted)