A last gasp strike by Wimbledon defender John Scales sealed a much needed win for the struggling FA Cup holders.

The 87th minute effort ensured the Dons' second successive win, establishing a solid base from which to climb the table.

Delighted manager Bobby Gould later praised Dons' coach Don Howe, rejoining the club after a heart by-pass operation. Gould said:

"The upturn in our confidence and fortunes is due to the return of Howe. "I am convinced he can do a similar job for England boss Bobby Robson.”

The match winner came after Robbie Turner capitalise on a Villa clearance error.

He flicked the ball to Vinny Jones, whose shot rebounded to Scales to score.

It stunned Villa fans, who have yet to see their team win at home in four attempts.

But Villa failed dismally and manager Graham Taylor must soon make wholesale changes if performances don’t improve.

Until that late strike it seemed the slow-moving match would end in a no-score draw.

John Fashanu, limping badly in the second period after some tough clashes with Martin Keown, disappeared after 48 minutes.

Later Tony Daley missed a fine chance to put Villa ahead. Garry Thompson's cross had the Dons defence in trouble but Daley's header was ill-directed.

Villa keeper Nigel Spink did not have to make a notable save throughout the game and Wimbledon's Hans Segers was tested just twice.