End of the run at classy Saints Southampton 3, Aston Villa Aston Villa's young pretenders learned in unceremonious fashion on Saturday just how far they are from even dreaming about the First Division crown. A run of seven matches without defeat had raised hopes among the Villa Park faithful that their heroes might be ready to make a genuine claim for honours. But Graham Taylor's preseason warning that solidarity rather than sensation was in prospect for 1988-89, was never more clearly illustrated than at The Dell. Villa, it should be stressed. were not nearly as bad as this result may indicate, even given that the scoreline might have been doubled but for Nigel Spink's experience and agility. These days, even in adversity, the team keep their shape and refuse to panic. Those fans who travelled to the south coast, though, will confirm that there is still an awesome gulf between Villa's gradually evolving team and the top of the table. Southampton, unlikely champions themselves, were so infinitely superior that even visiting supporters could only admire their silky skills and razor sharp finishing. Derek Mountfield has certainly not endured a busier 90 minutes since his move from Everton as he and his fellow defenders strove to quell the triple threat of Matthew Le nester and brothers Danny and Rodney Wallace . Villa were not the first team to suffer at the hands of BY ROB BISHOP football's most uno►thodox attack, although Taylor refused to accept that the Saints' system had destroyed his team's impressive run. "Formations don't win and lose matches, players do." he said. "It's unusual for a team to have three forwards who can take opponents out of the game." Nichol!, forced into this particular line-up because of injuries to Northern Ireland international Colin Clarke and ex-Villa man Paul Rldeout, must now be wondering if he will be able to find a place for his two more established strikers. While Le Tissier pounced twice one a gift from the otherwise faultless Spink, and one a brilliant riding shot -- Rod Wallace netted the Saints' other goal and his brother Danny was a constant menace. Tony Daley's 22nd minute equaliser was clinically executed, while David Platt and Alan Mclnally were both unlucky not to score in the second half.

End of the run at classy Saints Southampton 3, Aston Villa Aston Villa's young pretenders learned in unceremonious fashion on Saturday just how far they are from even dreaming about the First Division crown. A run of seven matches without defeat had raised hopes among the Villa Park faithful that their heroes might be ready to make a genuine claim for honours. But Graham Taylor's preseason warning that solidarity rather than sensation was in prospect for 1988-89, was never more clearly illustrated than at The Dell. Villa, it should be stressed. were not nearly as bad as this result may indicate, even given that the scoreline might have been doubled but for Nigel Spink's experience and agility. These days, even in adversity, the team keep their shape and refuse to panic. Those fans who travelled to the south coast, though, will confirm that there is still an awesome gulf between Villa's gradually evolving team and the top of the table. Southampton, unlikely champions themselves, were so infinitely superior that even visiting supporters could only admire their silky skills and razor sharp finishing. Derek Mountfield has certainly not endured a busier 90 minutes since his move from Everton as he and his fellow defenders strove to quell the triple threat of Matthew Le nester and brothers Danny and Rodney Wallace . Villa were not the first team to suffer at the hands of BY ROB BISHOP football's most uno►thodox attack, although Taylor refused to accept that the Saints' system had destroyed his team's impressive run. "Formations don't win and lose matches, players do." he said. "It's unusual for a team to have three forwards who can take opponents out of the game." Nichol!, forced into this particular line-up because of injuries to Northern Ireland international Colin Clarke and ex-Villa man Paul Rldeout, must now be wondering if he will be able to find a place for his two more established strikers. While Le Tissier pounced twice one a gift from the otherwise faultless Spink, and one a brilliant riding shot -- Rod Wallace netted the Saints' other goal and his brother Danny was a constant menace. Tony Daley's 22nd minute equaliser was clinically executed, while David Platt and Alan Mclnally were both unlucky not to score in the second half.